Law & Order: SVU, the longest-running primetime drama in TV history, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The show, which premiered on September 20, 1999, focuses on the Special Victims Unit of the NYPD and features lead detectives Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler. Mariska Hargitay, who plays Benson, is now an executive producer and director on the show. Chris Meloni, who played Stabler, left after 12 seasons. Over the years, the show has featured a revolving door of detectives, attorneys, perps, and victims, including regulars like Ice-T and Stephanie March, as well as guest stars like Brooke Shields, Cynthia Nixon, and Joe Biden. SVU has brought attention to important issues like sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, and has had a positive impact on viewers.
