Could Kelli Giddish's return to Law and Order: SVU be a precursor to a spinoff? (Speculation)

Kelli Giddish's return to Law and Order: SVU for season 26 looks to be one that's going to grab the attention of viewers. While she won't be back as a series regular, her guest starring turn as Amanda Rollins comes with a multi-episode stretch.

Last season, Rollins joined Benson on a case in "Prima Nocta," an episode that saw her considering rejoining the NYPD. It seems she did take her friend and former boss' advice to figure out what she wants to do with her life because Rollins is back on the force! Though it's not with her old crew, she's now a part of the department's Intelligence Unit.

Speaking to TVLine, showrunner and executive producer David Graziano shared the IU is "very different from the Intelligence Unit anywhere else, because the Intelligence Unit in New York has cops stationed in almost every country in the world. And so, Rollins is going to be traveling a lot as part of that job."

I don't know about you but I turned into the eyes emoji when I read Graziano's explanation. While he and executive producer Julie Martin wouldn't disclose how many episodes Giddish is in, the tease about her new position does have me wondering if Rollins may get her own spinoff and her season 26 appearances will be the launching pad for it.

The 2024-2025 television season marks Law and Order: Organized Crime's departure from NBC for Peacock, leaving the 10 p.m. slot on Law and Order Thursdays to Found's sophomore run. Sure, the network could choose to keep the franchise hovering at two shows on broadcast rather than developing a third but that's not typical of Dick Wolf Entertainment series. The One Chicago and FBI franchises have three programs airing on network TV just like this franchise did.

It seems possible that a new entry in the Law and Order franchise could be under consideration to fill the hole Organized Crime left behind. Giddish as the lead would make sense. Her character is known as well as loved and her job in the IU opens the franchise to stories that take place abroad a la FBI: International.

If a spinoff does happen, Rollisi shippers likely won't have to worry. Season 26 will see them still happily married and raising their three kids even with Rollins' absences. There's no reason to believe that won't remain the case if a show focused on the Intelligence Unit gets the greenlight. Plus, it could lead to some fun and interesting crossovers.

I'm just manifesting but Dick Wolf did extend his overall deal with Universal Television through 2027 and Rick Eid stepped down as FBI's showrunner to focus on Law and Order and developing new projects for Dick Wolf Entertainment. The math may be mathing here.

Kelli Giddish makes her first appearance this season on Oct. 24 in "Divide and Conquer." We'll keep you posted as more news comes in. Stay tuned to Americans Undercover for coverage.

Law and Order: SVU season 26 premieres Thursday, Oct. 3 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. Next day streaming will be available on Peacock.