What to know about Kate Silva, the new detective on Law and Order: SVU season 26

Law and Order: SVU is starting its new season with an addition to the team! Det. Kate Silva makes her debut in "Fractured," the season 26 premiere set to air on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.

When we meet Silva, she's fresh from the Brooklyn Homicide Unit. As Juliana Aidén Martinez teased in an interview with People, her character investigated "some of the worst murder cases happening in the city." A diligent worker, who walked the night beat, Silva's transfer to the Special Victims Unit has people raising eyebrows. They want to know why she's chosen to switch from homicide and Martinez said that's something that will be explored throughout the season.

Silva's background in law enforcement and her connections within the police force will also play apart in what happens in the first two episodes of the season. In "Fractured," the detective's first on-screen case, the team's investigation centers on a group of law students who've been attacked. When a hidden camera is discovered, Benson hopes it'll be the breakthrough they need to track down who committed this crime. For Carisi's part, he knows the best way they're going to get a conviction is if they can catch the defendant lying.

While the season 26 premiere synopsis doesn't mention what Silva will be up to in the episode, Law and Order: SVU showrunner David Graziano did tell TVLine that the detective's transfer isn't because she's suddenly decided she wants to work in the SVU instead of Homicide. She's "paying a penance for something" and that's the unraveling mystery about her character that the audience will be unpacking as we get to learn more about her and her "connections."

You can catch a glimpse of Det. Silva in action in the Law and Order Thursday first look trailer below. It doesn't show much of "Fractured" but there is footage from the premiere and the actors also share what they love about the franchise.

For Martinez, stepping into role of Det. Silva is important because, as she said, "To be on a show where we get to invest in women's stories I think is investing in progress."

The actress is also a big SVU fan and how the show is filmed. Having come from the Netflix original Griselda which had closed sets, filming for the procedural felt very different because the people of New York City come and watch the actors. They're a part of production as spectators and it's welcomed.

"We've done a few scenes in Washington Square Park, and that's been really interesting and impactful for me because I see when Ice is filming that day, Mariska's filming that day, it feels like the whole city descends upon us and watches, and I've never had that experience before. It feels like you're filming with the city."

- Juliana Aidén Martinez, People

Now, those of us watching Law and Order: SVU from home, will be along for the ride with Martinez as we learn about Silva and what it is she feels she must make amends for.

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