The news that Law & Order: SVU's most embattled defense attorney has returned after three years with a caveat. The long-running police procedural has featured many assistant district attorneys over the years, with many of Law & Order: SVUs saddest episodes involved cases where the detectives knew who did it, but the defense attorneys were able to get a not guilty verdict on some technicalities. Despite this, one particular defense attorney in Law & Order: SVUHis last years became controversial because of a personal decision.
In rare cases, former district attorneys switch sides, working as part of the defense instead. One such person was Rita Calhoun (Elizabeth Marvel), who was initially a prosecutor but became a defense attorney who made controversial decisions. Calhoun hasn't been seen in three years But will return to these Law & Order franchise in 2024. However, she will not be opposite Benson Law & Order: SVU Season 26 team, as she usually was.
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Elizabeth Marvel returns as Rita Calhoun but not in Law & Order: SVU Season 26
The DA turned defense attorney will appear on the original law and order instead
Wonder, fresh off your stint on so to speak, innocentWill guest star on Law & Order Season 24 as Rita Calhoun. The episode will also include a crossover appearance from Mariska Hargitay. Not much is known about her appearance, however Calhoun can defend a murder suspect who is also accused of committing sexual assault against their victim. Thus, Calhoun may cross paths with Benson again, despite not being slated to appear on Law & Order: SVU.
It will be interesting to see how the intersection between SVU and the homicide unit in this case affects the dynamic between Calhoun and Benson.
This twist marks the first time that Calhoun has appeared on another show in the franchise rather than Law & Order: SVU. She's been on the Mariska Hargitay-led installment more than a dozen times, most often defending Manhattan SVU's perpetrator of the week. Thus, it will be interesting to see how the intersection between SVU and the Homicide Unit in the upcoming Law & Order Fall of the 24th season affects the dynamic between Calhoun and Benson.
Calhoun's Law & Order Franchise Return can offer a much-needed update on her fate
Calhoun's career may not have worked out the way she wanted
Marvel's last appearance was particularly controversial, vi Calhoun defended an AG-run judge who was a serial rapist and abuser of power Despite fully knowing that he is guilty. When Benson confronted her about it, Calhoun said she was doing what she had to to get ahead in her career. Most notably, she told Benson: "Lay back and pretend you're enjoying it," Effectively arguing that they have to do things that they do not want to do for their own benefit. In a show that deals with consent and sexual assault, this was unnerving to hear.
Calhoun hasn't been on screen in three years, so her guest appearance Law & Order Season 24 will answer whether throwing away her morals to protect a high-profile rapist can reveal how that worked out for her. Although she will not appear on Law & Order: SVUHer upcoming return to the Dick Wolf franchise will provide some closure. Perhaps more subtly, it will also send a strong message about Calhoun's choices in recent years.