Law & Order: Special Victims Unit premiered on NBC, marking the start of the long-running series focusing on crimes of a sexual nature.
Mariska Hargitay won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series Drama for her role as Detective Olivia Benson.
Christopher Meloni, who played Detective Elliot Stabler, left the show after the 12th season, marking a major cast change.
Following Meloni's departure, Mariska Hargitay’s character Olivia Benson was promoted to captain, changing the show's dynamic.