Peter Scanavino says he and Mariska Hargitay are like SVU characters

ADA Dominic “Sonny” Carisi has an on-screen relationship with Olivia Benson, but that's about it Law and Order: Special Victims Unit actors Peter Scanavino and Mariska Hargitay.

“I think my relationship with Mariska really reflects their relationship,” Scanavino, 44, said Us Weekly just in front SVU winter premiere on Thursday, January 16. “I always respected him when I came to the show. I look up to him as an actor and even as a friend. I think Karisi did as well as the detective.

When Scanavino joined SVU During the season 16 premiere in 2014, Karisi was a “novice detective” and rose through the ranks. He has since become an ADA Law and order universe.

“As their relationship grew, so did my relationship with Mariska,” he continued. “It's one of the most important relationships I have in my life. She is one of my best friends. We can be very honest with each other in real life, just like Benson and Karisi can be very honest with each other.

Thursday's winter premiere SVU was partially Carisi-centric, as the character deals with coming to terms with her trauma after the event the November 2024 fall finale of the show. The episode, titled “First Light,” marks the first time Karisi returns to the courtroom after being held at gunpoint at his local cook shop. During one scene — after declaring several times that he's fine — Carisi seemingly blows the case after tussling in court. He and Benson have a rather strained but rewarding heart-to-heart relationship.

“This scene in particular is nice that it kind of follows that (the journey). It all feels very earned,” Scanavino said We. “Nothing was forced, nothing was forced. It was just an organic relationship that developed into this thing where they're very, very close now.

Another relationship featured in Thursday's episode is apparently that of Carisi and his wife, Amanda Rollins (I had Giddish). Scanavino said We that Carisi is in “good hands” with Rollins when it comes to getting through tough times.

The family scenes between him and Giddish that aired on Thursday's episode felt very real to Scannavino, he said.

Related: Actors who played multiple roles on Law & Order: SVU

So many notable names have made guest appearances on Law & Order: SVU over the years — and some have even played more than one character. Peter Scannavino appeared in two episodes as Johnny Dubcek in Season 14 in 2013, then landed a regular role in Season 16 as Detective Dominic “Sonny” Carisi Jr., who (…)

“I have a family and I think Carisi and I are very similar in that respect. I think we really value family,” he shared We. “Working with Kelly, who I have a lot of respect for personally, and I just think Rollins as a character that's obviously been through a lot, she's very well suited to deal with someone else who's going through something.”

Scanavino also said he's “not really sure” how Carisi will overcome the injury SVU Season 26 continues.

“At the end of this episode, you can see him start the journey. The clouds have parted just for a moment and you can see the path forward,” he said. “We'll see what happens if he faces it again. If he has to review it in a trial or in any other form.

Law and Order: SVU Season 26 airs on NBC Thursdays at 9:00 PM ET and streaming on Peacock the next day.