Law & Order: SVU’s latest Kelli Giddish news opens the door for a potential One Chicago crossover.
SVU and One Chicago are set in the same universe, with the two shows having shared cases in the past, but it hasn’t happened in a decade.
When Elliot Stabler returned as part of the Organized Crime Unit, it seemed like the perfect set-up for him and Chicago PD‘s Hank Voight to work together on a case, and the latest news about Amanda Rollins makes an even stronger case for the return of crossovers between the two franchises.
Amanda Rollins Will Be Working For the NYPD Intelligence Unit
That’s Also The Chicago Unit Voight Works For
Although Rollins will join the Law & Order: SVU Season 26 cast on a recurring basis, she won’t be working for SVU — instead, she’ll be working for the new-to-the-franchise Intelligence Unit.
This is disappointing even though it makes sense, given that Benson was hesitant to rehire Rollins and now has a full team.
However, there are two silver linings to this latest SVU Kelli Giddish news. Not only will Rollins be on our screens again part-time, but her new role makes a crossover with Chicago PD far more likely.
Rollins working for NYPD Intelligence means that she will sometimes need to consult with other intelligence units out of state — including Chicago PD Intelligence, which is run by Hank Voight.
At the very least, this setup should allow for Jason Beghe to make cameo appearances as Voight, similar to the way FBI‘s Jubal Valentine often pops up on the other FBI shows to assist on cases via video chat.
There could also be bigger cases in which Rollins has to travel to Chicago, or members of Voight’s team again come to New York to work on a case that originates in one city but involves crimes in the other.
SVU’s Latest Kelli Giddish News Could Lead To A Huge Crossover Event
The Dick Wolf Universe Has Expanded Massively Since 2014
Cameo appearances are only the tip of the iceberg.
There are currently six Dick Wolf shows on air: three Law & Order shows (counting Law & Order: Organized Crime, which will be Peacock-only this year), three One Chicago shows, and three FBI shows.
Thus, theoretically, a crossover with the Intelligence Unit could encompass all six shows.
The easiest connection is SVU to Chicago PD, but the NYPD Intelligence Unit could easily coordinate with the Organized Crime Unit or any of the FBI units on a case.
FBI: International would be the trickiest, as it would take the case across the Atlantic Ocean.
However, it’s possible that NYPD Intelligence, FBI’s Fugitive Task Force, and Chicago PD’s Intelligence Unit would need to work with Interpol to track down a fugitive who had escaped to Europe in the hopes of never being made to answer for their crimes.
Similarly, Chicago Med or Chicago Fire could get involved if victims have life-threatening injuries or arson is involved in the case somehow.
Law & Order SVU‘s latest Kelli Giddish news opens the door to endless possibilities for crossovers, and it would be fascinating to learn how our favorite characters work together (or don’t!)
Voight and Stabler would be the most compelling because they’re so damn alike.
The two of them don’t mind throwing the rules out the window to get justice, and there could be some romantic rivalry over Benson.
Benson/Voight doesn’t count as a split for the sake of drama because their relationship evaporated, but it would be fun to revisit it ten years later, especially with Stabler back in the picture.
Of course, the important thing about SVU’s latest Kelli Giddish news is that Rollins will be back on our screens, and she could have some interesting stories closer to home.
Even Small Crossovers Would Work
SVU’s Latest Kelli Giddish News Could Also Lead to Crossovers Within The Franchise
The One Chicago crossovers are the most exciting possibility now that Rollins will be working for the Intelligence Unit, but they’re not the only possibility.
FBI is probably a more realistic crossover idea, given that both series take place in New York City.
Additionally, there could be crossovers with the other Law & Order shows. Rollins has helped out the Organized Crime Unit but has not yet appeared on the original Law & Order.
The original series deals with homicides and calls in other teams as needed, occasionally working with SVU on sexual assault cases.
A case involving spies, gang leaders, or others who might be on Intelligence’s radar could easily lead to the unit having to call Rollins in.
Additionally, there would likely be some overlap between suspects Intelligence is interested in and criminal organizations that the Organized Crime Unit is trying to take down, so any such crossover would likely involve Law & Order: Organized Crime.
(It’s too bad that Blue Bloods is not a Dick Wolf show, as Jamie works for their version of NYPD Intelligence and I’d love for him and Rollins to share scenes!)
Rollins’ Recurring Role Makes Crossovers Easier
SVU’s Latest Kelli Giddish News Makes Each Appearance Special
Since Rollins will not appear in every episode of Law & Order: SVU Season 26, the series will need a reason to include her when she does participate in stories.
Presumably, SVU will need to reach out to Intelligence for information or work together on joint cases.
Thus, it’s a small step for SVU to need to reach out to other agencies, such as the FBI or Chicago PD, making crossovers easier and more realistic.
Rollins is supposed to be more fulfilled in her new career path, which is exciting. It’s great that she’s back, even if she doesn’t make any crossover appearances.
Still, the set-up is so perfect that it would be a shame if no such episodes ever took place.
Over to you, SVU fanatics. Would you like a Rollins crossover with One Chicago?
Hit the comments and let us know!
Law & Order: SVU Season 26 premieres on NBC on October 3, 2024 at 9/8c.
It will be available to stream on Peacock on October 4, 2024.