Why Kelli Giddish’s ‘SVU’ Return Came at a ‘Perfect Time,’ Teases Growth in Benson Friendship (Exclusive)

“There are a lot of random hugs. We’re just like, ‘Oh, thank God,’” Giddish said. “It’s been so lovely. Everybody on the crew says such kind words. They just exhale, and they’re like, ‘Oh, you’re back,’ That feels so good.”

Giddish noted that she also “treasures” the fans that share the “same sentiment” about her return.

“We’re all happy to be there. We’re all very curious. We’re all committed to telling these stories, and it’s a lot of fun,” she shared. “I know it’s really a heavy load — the subject matter, and portraying what evil people do to other people — but we, as a cast and crew, it’s just a solid group of people, and it’s just a lot of fun to be there.”

Along with the show’s first-ever female showrunner (Us was shocked too), Giddish teased that she, Hargitay and Aimé Donna Kelly (Captain Renee Curry) are the “updated Charlie’s Angels” on set.

“It being three strong women, I think we welcome the trio and the comparison,” Giddish said, teasing a “super strong partnership” between Rollins and Curry in the near future.

“There’s mutual respect and she’s such a strong character on the show, a strong female,” Giddish added. (Kelly previously compared Giddish’s return to SVU as if “another family member has come back home,” during an interview with Us.)

As for Rollins and Carisi? Yes, there are more moments between Giddish and Peter Scanavino as well.

“It’s just so easy with Peter,” Giddish gushed. “Anything they throw at us, we’ve got great chemistry together, and we’re friends off screen as well. I think that that shows up in our work.”

Law & Order: SVU airs new episodes on NBC Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.