The accomplished actor who plays Assistant District Attorney Rafael Barba on "Law & Order: SVU" may look familiar to many. Raúl Esparza first made a name for himself in the theater world in Jonathan Larson's unproduced musical "tick, tick … BOOM!" before bursting into television (via Playbill). With his admirable acting skills and finely tuned wit, he was a perfect addition to "SVU" Season 14. A direct foil to Olivia Benson's (Mariska Hargitay) vulnerable empathy, Barba was the character to shake things up.

Though a defense attorney, he proves to be as cutthroat and cunning as any prosecutor. His approach to putting criminals behind bars is an asset as he never backs down from a case. Throughout the years, he becomes accepted into the "SVU" family though he and Benson did not see eye to eye in the beginning. Initially, it seems his style could not be more different from the "SVU" team. So much so that it may be a surprise exactly when audiences fell in love with the hard-hitting counselor.

Rafael Barba's first case was a standout

As soon as Rafael Barba steps on screen, he is set up to be an impressive character. After erotic novelist Jocelyn Paley (Anna Chlumsky) is sexually assaulted by television personality Adam Cain (Roger Bart), Barba is thrown into what appears to be an unwinnable case. Cain maintains that the interaction was consensual, but the assault seems to mirror domination scenes from Jocelyn's book.

Jocelyn's credibility has been destroyed due to allegations of plagiarism, and Barba knows the only way to get the jury on his side is to go to the extreme. Barba is so committed to winning the case that he has Cain choke him to prove to the jury how fun the accused finds it.

"That was the exact moment that solidified my love for Barba!" exclaimed u/macacacaroni. Barba may appear unfeeling at times, but he cares about the carriage of justice and putting away criminals.

Raúl Esparza's tenure on SVU was beloved

Raúl Esparza captivated viewers with his portrayal of Rafael Barba on "Law & Order: SVU." After leaving the show, he expressed his fondness for the character and the growth he experienced. Showrunner Michael Chernuchin praised Esparza's contribution and hinted at a possible return for Barba. Esparza briefly reprised his role in a crossover episode, leaving fans divided. The Season 23 finale left the door open for Barba's future appearances.