Inside Octavio Pisano’s Law & Order: SVU Exit: What We Know Right Now

SVU shake-up: Octavio Pisano and Juliana Martinez won’t return as regulars if Law & Order: SVU moves into Season 27 — but Pisano’s Season 27 appearance suggests Joe Velasco might not be gone for good.

If you have been wondering whether Joe Velasco is actually gone from SVU, here is the straight answer: not quite. Octavio Pisano is back on screen, but he is not sticking around full-time.

What changed for Season 27

Back in May, Deadline reported that Octavio Pisano and Juliana Martinez would not be returning as series regulars if SVU moved forward with Season 27. That raised alarms because Pisano has been around since Season 23 as undercover detective Joe Velasco, and Martinez popped in this past season as Detective Kate Silva.

Fast-forward to late July 2025, and Pisano was spotted rehearsing with the cast, signaling he would, in fact, be part of the new season. He then showed up in the Season 27 premiere and in the more recent episode titled 'A Waiver of Consent.' So yes, Velasco is still in play.

So is Velasco leaving?

No, but do not expect to see him every week. Pisano is not a series regular this season, which means Velasco will be around, just not in every episode. Think recurring, not main cast.

Why the change?

The reason has not been nailed down publicly. It could be creative, financial, or a mix of both. And here is the inside baseball part: NBC has been trimming budgets across multiple shows, which has meant smaller casts, fewer episodes, and tighter production all around. That context matters when you see a familiar face shift from regular to recurring.

Where things stand now

• May: Reports said Octavio Pisano (Joe Velasco) and Juliana Martinez (Detective Kate Silva) would not return as series regulars for Season 27.
• Late July 2025: Pisano was seen rehearsing with the cast, signaling involvement in the new season.
• Season 27: Pisano appears in the premiere and in 'A Waiver of Consent.'
• Status: Pisano is back but not full-time. Expect Velasco to pop in, not anchor every case.
• Reason: Unclear; network-wide cost cutting has been affecting casts, episode counts, and production.

Bottom line: Velasco fans still have something to look forward to this season, even if he is not in every episode. He is not gone, just less constant. Honestly, that might make his appearances feel a little more eventful.