The Real Reason Joe Velasco Is Leaving Law & Order: SVU in Season 27

If you have been wondering why Joe Velasco keeps popping in and out of SVU lately, you are not imagining things. The show is in shuffle mode heading into Season 27, and Octavio Pisano is officially out as a regular. Here is what the series did with Velasco on screen, and what anyone has actually said about why he is leaving. Spoiler: it is murky.

So... where did Velasco go?

Velasco has left the Special Victims Unit to work with the Drug Enforcement Administration. On the show, he explains he is deep undercover chasing a nasty drug boss. It is the kind of transfer that makes sense on paper and lets the character exit without a body bag.

Wait, didn't he just get a big promotion?

Yep. In the Season 26 finale, Velasco was bumped up to Detective Second Grade. The squad threw a celebratory party, and the episode even ran a little Velasco montage that played like a farewell reel. At that point, the writing was already on the wall: back in May, word broke that Pisano would not be returning as a series regular. Juliana Aiden Martinez, who plays Kate Silva, was also reported out as a regular.

Then why did he pop up again before Season 27?

Because TV, that's why. After the farewell vibes, Pisano surfaced in a pre-Season 27 social media clip, which had fans wondering if he was actually sticking around. TVLine then confirmed he would be back briefly in Season 27. The show split the difference: Velasco is undercover with the DEA, but we still see him check in at the precinct and lend a hand as needed.

What finally pushes him out the door?

Velasco realizes he is torn between his undercover work and loyalty to SVU, especially with Fin temporarily out of commission. Liv cuts through the sentiment and tells him not to stay just to keep her afloat.

"I'm here because I think it's the place that I can do the most good. You need to be where you can do the most good."

After that talk, Velasco makes it official. He stops by to see Fin one last time, then leaves town to fully commit to the DEA mission.

Why is Octavio Pisano leaving the show?

No one is saying. There is no confirmed reason on the record, and it is not clear whether this is Pisano's own call, a creative decision, or a budget move. Neither the actor nor NBC has issued a statement about the why of it all.

Velasco's exit, in quick beats

• May: Reports say Octavio Pisano will not return as a series regular for Season 27; Juliana Aiden Martinez (Kate Silva) is also out as a regular.
• Season 26 finale: Velasco is promoted to Detective Second Grade; the squad celebrates, and the montage reads like a sendoff.
• Pre-Season 27: Pisano shows up in a social media video, surprising fans.
• TVLine confirms: He will appear briefly in Season 27.
• Season 27: He is working undercover with the DEA but still drops by the precinct. He is tracking a ruthless drug lord, worries about leaving Liv short-handed with Fin sidelined, and gets Liv's blessing to go where he can do the most good.
• Final step: He visits Fin one last time, then leaves town for good.