Law & Order: Special Victims Unit fans may be worried about Ice-T’s reduced presence in season 27, but the actor has set the record straight about Fin’s status!
While he debuted in the second season premiere, Odafin “Fin” Tutuola has been a mainstay of Law & Order: SVU for two and a half decades. Rapper Ice-T found his groove as the former undercover cop joining the SVU squad, helping solve cases and save victims despite numerous problems and near-death injuries.
Season 27 has seen a lower presence for Fin, with an explanation of him recovering from a gunshot wound. Speaking to People Magazine, Ice-T explained that his reduced presence is “basically business,” as the return of Kelli Giddish as Amanda Rollins meant producers had to cut costs by giving Ice-T less time.
Ice-T added that he "wasn't really concerned with them working me less because I got so many other things on my plate. But I'm just more concerned with getting to season 28. You know, that's what I want to do. So if they feel that that's what they needed to do this year, I'm cool, you know what I'm saying? But Kelli came back, they got new cops in there and stuff, but it's never gonna be the same without Fin up in there, you know what I'm saying? They need a little funk up in there."
Ice-T is, of course, busy with his podcast, some movies, and his own clothing line and still dabbles in the occasional rap album. He’s spoken in the past about how he’s stayed with the show so long, thanks to the residuals from reruns and dismissed talk of leaving. Hopefully, this stays true.
Thankfully, Ice-T clarified that Fin will return in several episodes in the latter half of Law & Order: SVU season 27.
"When we come back, I'm in some and then I think I'll be in a lot near the end of the season. So we've got some good stuff to look forward to."
The series addressed the talk about Ice-T leaving when Fin talked to Benson (Mariska Hargitay) about toying with the idea of retiring after his shooting. However, he just couldn’t let go of the job and was simply taking a step back for a bit to recharge.
That fits the actor, with Ice-T clarifying that “I've been on this show for 27 years. I'm not gonna say nothing negative about that show. They've taken care of me for so long. So I just want to get to season 28."
So, SVU fans can be assured that Fin is not only coming back this year but for as long as the series continues, as Ice-T isn’t ready to say goodbye to the show just yet!
Law & Order: SVU airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.