Is Ice-T leaving Law and Order: SVU in 2023? (The actor weighs in)

TV networks are speeding toward their season finales as we inch closer to May. During this time is usually when we hear about planned exits for stars currently featured on hit series. Sometimes this is due to an opportunity in another project and it was the actor’s choice, and other times it was decision made by the network. One actor fans are keeping an eye on is Law and Order: SVU‘s Ice-T who plays Odafin “Fin” Tutuola in the series.

The famed rapper has been acting professionally since 1983 and took up the above role in 2000 in the show’s second season. As such he’s been a part of this beloved franchise for over 20 years. Of course, with age, a series starts to lose actors due to stalled contract negotiations or a network’s refusal to increase a veteran actor’s salary. Contracts and budgets are largely the reason why it takes long-running show’s sometime to be renewed.

With 23 years on the series under his belt, is Ice-T ready to leave Law and Order: SVU or should there be any concern that he’ll be departing anytime soon? Here’s what we know!

Is Ice-T leaving Law and Order: SVU?

Ice-T confirmed that he has no intention of exiting the role of Fin Tutuola in an interview with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show this year. Parade reports the actor said the following:

"We’ll be back for season 25, 26…I’mma stay on until the wheels fall off. Black people don’t jump off boats, especially when they’re still floating. You understand?"

And, while Law and Order: SVU hasn’t been renewed yet by NBC, Ice-T isn’t worried about it. Dick Wolf, the show’s creator, is prolific. Speaking to this Ice-T said: “I mean, Dick Wolf has six shows on NBC. So, we’re sitting pretty.”

So if the actor has his way, he’ll be around on the series for as long as it’s on air. Stay tuned to Hidden Remote for more NBC news and coverage!