When does Law & Order: Special Victims Unit return?

The first spin-off of Law & Order, it starred Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler until Meloni left the series in 2011. Mariska Hargitay was the first regular cast member to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2006. The show premiered on September 20, 1999, and has aired 500 original episodes. The series has received 91 award nominations, winning 33.
Based out of the NYPD New York City Police Department's 16th precinct in Manhattan, the Special Victims Unit delves into the dark side of the New York underworld. Its stories touch on the political and societal issues associated with gender identity, sexual preferences, and equality rights. The unit also works with the Manhattan District Attorney's office as they prosecute cases and seek justice.