WHEN THE CEO OF A PRIVATE MILITARY CONTRACTOR IS FOUND ASSAULTED, THE DA’S OFFICE JOINS THE SVU DETECTIVES TO INVESTIGATE A MOTIVE WITH INTERNATIONAL TIES

“OFFICIAL STORY” – The powerful CEO of a private military contractor is confronted by protesters and later found drugged and sexually assaulted in a park. Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Amaro (Danny Pino) begin their investigation but find the victim unwilling to cooperate. As the SVU squad and the district attorney’s office explore the motives behind the attack, a much larger crime and conspiracy in Iraq is unveiled. Also starring Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola), Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen) and Kelli Giddish (Detective Amanda Rollins.) Laura Benanti (Maria Grazie) guest stars.

WHEN AN ACTRESS IS RAPED ON STAGE DURING A PERFORMANCE, THE SVU SQUAD DISCOVERS THE ATTACKER WAS SET UP TO COMMIT THE CRIME

“THEATRE TRICKS” – An actress in an interactive theater production is raped on stage, while the audience believes it to be part of the show. The SVU detectives hit a dead end in their investigation when they learn the show’s passionate director (guest star Fisher Stevens) gave the audience, including the assailant, masks to wear during the performance. Detectives Rollins (Kelli Giddish) and Tutuola (Ice-T) track down an obsessed fan of the young actress who recorded the assault while stalking her, which leads Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Amaro (Danny Pino) to a respected judge (guest star Kevin Pollak.) With the judge’s reputation on the line, the SVU squad explores the underbelly of the New York theater world to uncover who really orchestrated the public attack.

Also starring Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen) with special appearances by Stephanie March (ADA Alex Cabot), Gilbert Gottfried (TARU Tech Leo Gerber.) Grant Shaud guest stars.

UNIVERSAL CITY, California — Three-time Grammy Award winner, two-time Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Harry Connick Jr. will have a multi-episode, guest-starring turn on the Wolf Films/NBC drama “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (Wednesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET).

Connick will guest-star as Executive ADA David Haden, a dedicated, straight-shooting prosecutor who is assigned a case with Detective Benson (Mariska Hargitay). Although Benson is at first wary of Haden, they are both surprised to find they work well together. As the case develops, so does their relationship. Connick’s first episode will air January 18.

“This is a home run on so many levels,” said Hargitay. “The show is very fortunate to have Harry’s extraordinary talent, and I’m lucky because I get to work with my friend. I think Olivia couldn’t have asked for a better companion to take her through a new stage in her life and career.”

A star in music, theater, film and television, Connick recently won his second Emmy for musical direction of his live concert television special, “Harry Connick Jr. in Concert on Broadway.” He currently is starring on Broadway in the musical “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” about which USA Today said: “Harry Connick Jr. has never sung or acted more powerfully.” The musical is directed by Tony Award-winner Michael Mayer, who also is the director of NBC’s upcoming Broadway-themed drama “Smash.”

This year Connick starred in the hit film “Dolphin Tale” which debuted at #1 at the box office with Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman and Kris Kristofferson. He also added author to his credentials with “The Happy Elf,” his beloved song and children’s Christmas stage musical turned into a keepsake children’s book with an accompanying instrumental jazz CD released by Marsalis Music. On television, Connick is best remembered as Dr. Leo Markus on NBC’s “Will and Grace.”

A proud New Orleans native, Connick and longtime friend Branford Marsalis opened the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in The Musicians’ Village in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans last summer, in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity. From music to dance, theater to film, the goal of the Center is to harness the exceptional talents of the residents and students of the surrounding Musicians’ Village in a collective effort that will provide an invaluable resource to New Orleans.

“Law & Order: SVU” is a Wolf Films production in association with Universal Television. Dick Wolf, Warren Leight and Peter Jankowski are executive producers.

Source: NBC Press Release

WHEN A LEGENDARY FOOTBALL STAR (GUEST STAR TREAT WILLIAMS) IS ARRESTED ON PROSTITUTION CHARGES, ATTORNEY BAYARD ELLIS (GUEST STAR ANDRE BRAUGHER) CENTERS THE DEFENSE ON HIS CLIENT’S MENTAL STATE, CAUSING A MEDIA FIRESTORM. SPECIAL APPEARANCES BY JERRY RICE AND WARREN SAPP

“SPIRALING DOWN” – A military colleague (guest star Dominic Fumusa) of Detective Amaro’s (Danny Pino) wife reports his 14-year-old daughter missing. The detectives find the girl (guest star Kay Panabaker) working as a prostitute under a possessive pimp (guest star Jon Michael Hill). They quickly set up a sting operation to entrap Johns on rape charges with a minor, and arrest aging pro quarterback Jake Stanton (guest star Williams.) Detective Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and ADA Cabot (Stephanie March) seek to make an example out of the football legend, but the case is thrown into chaos with the return of defense attorney Bayard Ellis (guest star Braugher), who questions Stanton’s mental capacity after years of injuries on the field. Watch sneak peeks from tonight’s episode:

Also starring Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola), Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen) and Kelli Giddish (Detective Amanda Rollins). Beth Chamberlin and Laura Benanti also guest star.

WHEN A ROMANI BOY VANISHES ON HIS WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL, THE SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT MUST PENETRATE HIS INSULAR COMMUNITY TO FIND THE UNLIKELY ABDUCTORS. GILBERT GOTTFRIED, RON RIFKIN AND GAVIN LEE GUEST STAR

“LOST TRAVELER” – A Romani child disappears on his way home from school. Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Amaro (Danny Pino) interview the distraught parents, who are distrustful of the police. The initial investigation leads Fin (Ice-T) and Rollins (Kelli Giddish) to the powerful leader of the Romani community, but he denies any involvement. The family remains hopeful their boy will be found, especially when they discover his cell phone is still active. With the help of their TARU tech (guest star Gottfried) and a meddling newspaper reporter, the detectives narrow the perpetrators to a mentally challenged neighbor, throwing the tight-knit Romani community into turmoil. Watch a sneak peek from tonight’s episode:

Also guest starring Ron Rifkin and Gavin Lee. Also starring Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen) and Richard Belzer (Sergeant John Munch.) Special appearances by Stephanie March (ADA Alex Cabot), Tamara Tunie (M.E. Melinda Warner), and Linus Roache (Bureau Chief Mike Cutter.)

WHEN AN EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED MAN CLAIMS HE WITNESSED A RAPE, THE SVU MUST DISCOVER WHAT IS REAL AND WHAT IS IMAGINARY WHEN THE ALLEGED VICTIM (GUEST STAR NATASHA LYONNE) TURNS OUT TO BE A PATIENT IN A PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL

CARRIE PRESTON ALSO GUEST STARS

“EDUCATED GUESS” – A man in custody at a mental hospital claims to have witnessed a rape in a break room. Despite the witness’ shaky credibility the SVU begins an investigation, but the alleged victim, Gia Eskas (guest star Lyonne), denies being assaulted. Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Rollins (Kelli Giddish) struggle to piece together what really happened to this young woman, especially when her aunt (guest star Preston) and mother say Gia has been repeatedly institutionalized, and has cried rape in the past. Watch a sneak peek from tonight’s episode:

Also starring Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola), Richard Belzer (Detective John Munch) and Danny Pino (Detective Nick Amaro).

CAPTAIN CRAGEN GOES UNDERCOVER WHEN A MURDER IN BRIGHTON BEACH REVEALS A THRIVING BUT DEADLY FOREIGN BRIDE BUSINESS

IZABELLA MIKO AND TIMOTHY BUSFIELD GUEST STAR

“RUSSIAN BRIDES” – When a young woman is found brutally murdered, the SVU detectives use her distinctive tattoos to identify her as a recently engaged Russian mail-order bride (guest star Izabella Miko). Upon questioning her distraught fiancé (guest star Timothy Busfield), they learn that she was kidnapped and held for ransom the night of their engagement party. While the detectives follow the money to a deadly blackmail scam run by the Russian Mafia, Captain Cragen (Dann Florek) goes undercover as a sad and lonely suitor to lure out a killer. Watch a sneak peek from tonight’s episode:

Also starring: Mariska Hargitay (Detective Olivia Benson), Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola), Danny Pino (Detective Nick Amaro) and Kelli Giddish (Detective Amanda Rollins.) Special appearances by Stephanie March (ADA Alex Cabot) and Tamara Tunie (M.E. Melinda Warner.)

A MUSIC STUDENT (GUEST STAR SOFIA VASSILIEVA) IS RAPED IN HER OWN APARTMENT, AND THE SEEMINGLY CLEAR CUT CASE BEGINS TO UNRAVEL WHEN THE SUSPECT HIRES A POWERFUL DEFENSE ATTORNEY (GUEST STAR ANDRE BRAUGHER)

“TRUE BELIEVERS” – A young music student (Vassilieva) is raped at gunpoint in her own apartment, but with her help, the SVU squad makes a quick arrest. Bureau Chief Mike Cutter (Linus Roache) takes over the case when he finds that opposing counsel is high-profile defense attorney Bayard Ellis (guest star Braugher). As Ellis works to undermine their police work and damage the victim’s credibility, the detectives take the stand to prove they have more than just a he-said, she-said case.

Starring: Mariska Hargitay (Detective Olivia Benson), Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola), Richard Belzer (Detective John Munch), Danny Pino (Detective Nick Amaro) and Kelli Giddish (Detective Amanda Rollins.) Special appearance by Tamara Tunie (M.E. Melinda Warner.)

AS THE SVU DETECTIVES RACE TO FIND A MISSING BABY ON HALLOWEEN, THEY BEGIN TO DOUBT THE STORY OF THE DISTRAUGHT PARENTS

“MISSING PIECES” – A young woman visiting from Buffalo claims that her car was stolen outside a Manhattan convenience store with her baby still buckled in the backseat. Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Amaro (Danny Pino) get as much information as they can from the anxious mother and her boyfriend at the police station, while Fin (Ice-T) and Rollins (Kelli Giddish) track their path from Buffalo for clues. When the parents’ stories don’t add up, the detectives must uncover what really happened to the missing baby, and the truth surprises everyone. See video sneak peeks from tonight’s episode:

Also starring Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen.) Special appearances by Diane Neal (ADA Casey Novak) and Tamara Tunie (M.E. Melinda Warner.)