The twelfth season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit premiered in the United States on NBC on September 22, 2010, and concluded on May 18, 2011. This was the first season that the show did not air
Season 12 U.S. DVD cover
This season marked Meloni's last regular appearance on the show.
Maria Bello appeared twice in this season as Vivian Arliss, who briefly gives custody of her son to Benson.
Prior to appearing in season 12, Harden appeared twice in the series, her last appearance being on the season 8 premiere episode "Informed".
The eleventh season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit premiered on September 23, 2009 and concluded on May 19, 2010. It was moved from Tuesdays to Wednesdays at 9 pm/8c ET for the NBC broadcast. On
Season 11 U.S. DVD cover
Christine Lahti as Executive Assistant District Attorney Sonya Paxton
Sharon Stone as Assistant District Attorney Jo Marlowe
Various sources reported that Mischa Barton's performance suffered due to her "infamous hard partying". SVU film editor Nancy Forner responded by complimenting Barton's performance and saying "I think the press loves to be mean."