Kelli Giddish Recalls First Thing Ice-T Said to Her When They Met on “Law & Order: SVU” Set (Exclusive)

**Kelli Giddish Reflects on Her Journey in ‘Law & Order: SVU’ as Season 27 Nears its Finale**

Actress Kelli Giddish, who has portrayed Sgt. Amanda Rollins on NBC’s long-standing police procedural *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (SVU) since 2011, recently sat down with *People* to discuss her time on the show ahead of the much-anticipated season 27 finale. With a career spanning over a decade on the series, Giddish shared insights into her early experiences on set and the bonds she has forged with her co-stars.

Reflecting on her first day filming for SVU, Giddish recalled a rather chaotic schedule that included a red-eye flight from Los Angeles. At the time, she was not only working on SVU but also had a recurring role on CBS’s *The Good Wife*. The actress recounted, “I was living in L.A., and I had to wrap a film the night before *SVU*. So I got killed in the film that I was filming in L.A. on a Thursday night and then I took the red eye to New York.” This whirlwind introduction to the series certainly made for an unforgettable start.

Arriving on set with remnants of her previous role, Giddish noted she had “all this blood in my hair”, which required a quick fix before she filmed her first scene with Ice-T, who plays Sgt. Odafin “Fin” Tutuola. “I show up to SVU and they’re like, ‘Your hair is still pink.’ And I’m like, ‘Sorry. Think we can just put it up?’” Her light-hearted approach to the situation endeared her to the cast, particularly Ice-T, who responded with, “You do you, boo.” This mutual respect laid the groundwork for their camaraderie, which Giddish describes as one characterised by support and admiration.

Following her initial scenes, she swiftly transitioned over to *The Good Wife*, cementing her decision to move to New York permanently due to SVU’s filming location. Her dedication to the series has paid off, as she has continuously developed the character of Amanda Rollins throughout her time on the show, including a brief hiatus in December 2022, from which she returned as a series regular.

When discussing this season’s stories, Giddish highlighted “Career Psychopath” as her standout episode. The narrative sees Rollins and her partner Dominick Carisi, portrayed by Peter Scanavino, surviving an armed intrusion in their home. Giddish described her excitement about the adrenaline-fueled scenes: “That was my favourite episode because I got to play with Peter. And, of course, when you get to shoot guns and play fight and run, that always gets your adrenaline going,” she said, drawing attention to the dynamic action sequences that make the series so engaging.

The off-screen relationships among the cast play an essential role in the show’s success. Giddish enjoys a close friendship with lead actress Mariska Hargitay, and she notably keeps in touch with Scanavino, especially as both are busy parents. She shared a recent text exchange, revealing that Scanavino sent her a picture of his son’s disorganised closet. “He was like, ‘What do I do with this? Why are the jammies mixed with the clean clothes?’ And I go, ‘I don’t know why they do that,’” she chuckled, highlighting the shared experiences of parenthood that knit the cast even closer.

As season 27 approaches its conclusion, Giddish continues to demonstrate her commitment to her role and the series. With a combined dedication to her craft and a genuine rapport with fellow cast members, she embodies the spirit of SVU. Fans eagerly await what lies ahead for the beloved character of Amanda Rollins, and Giddish’s personal experiences only deepen the audience’s connection to the storylines explored in the show.

*Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* is currently available for streaming on Peacock, allowing viewers to catch up on the gripping narratives that have kept audiences entertained for years. As Giddish prepares for future projects, her enduring role on SVU remains a significant chapter in her evolving career.