Fans of Law & Order: Special Victims Unitwill soon see a popular villain back on the beloved crime drama.
TV Insider reported that Ethan Cutkosky is coming back to play his Law & Order: SVU character, Henry Mesner. According to the publication, viewers met Henry during the 14th season. During the 2013 episode, titled “Born Psychopath,” Henry reveals he’s an extremely dangerous 10-year-old, harming his mother, sister, and Detective Nick Amaro (Danny Pino). Henry was also the antagonist in Season 22, Episode 14. The character, who is newly released from Hesland Juvenile Psychiatric, goes on a murderous rampage, with his father, his stepmother, and their child as his victims. In addition, he brutally attacks the daughter of his former psychiatrist, Dr. Blandon, and becomes a threatening presence in Detective Amanda Rollins’ (Kelli Giddish) life.
On December 12, the official Instagram account for Law & Order shared a video that showed Henry in what appears to be a prison uniform speaking to Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay).
“Catch Ethan Cutkosky guest-starring on #SVU soon,” read a portion of the caption of the post.
Several Fans Expressed Their Excitement for Ethan Cutkosky’s ‘SVU’ Comeback
Several Law & Order: SVU fans flocked to the post’s comments section to share their excitement for Cutkosky’s comeback as Henry, which is currently in its 27th season.
“OMG I was just telling my sister the other day how wild it would be if Henry popped up again I’M SCARED,” wrote a fan.
“Round 3! Let’s go!” shared a commenter.
“Henry is returning heck yeah!!” wrote a social media user.
“this is good stuff this is very good stuff,” shared a Law & Order: SVU viewer.
“Oh I’m excited,” chimed in a fifth Instagram user.
“Omg omg omg, he’s back,” added a different person.
“Yesss!!!!! he’s back from season 14!!” commented a fan.
Mariska Hargitay Said ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Season 27 ‘Has This Renewed Energy’
Hargitay opened up about starring as Olivia for the last 27 years on Law & Order: SVU. In an October 2025 interview with The TODAY Show, Hargitay said the show’s current 27th season, which premiered in September 2025, is “very exciting.” In addition, she said she’s pleased that the series has its first female showrunner, Michele Fazekas.
“It’s hard for me to take in that I have been doing the show for 27 years. This year, it has this renewed energy. We have a new showrunner, who is a female showrunner, that I have been waiting for so long,” said the actress in the October 2025 interview.
She also shared she’s pleased that Giddish came back to the series for season 27 after leaving following the show’s 24th season.
“Kelli Giddish is back. It has a powerful female energy this year and we are getting it done,” said Hargitay on The TODAY Show.
