'Law And Order: SVU': Meet Olivia Benson's New Love Interest, Harry Connick Jr. (VIDEO)

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" is finally giving Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) some lovin'. None other than Harry Connick Jr. joins the cast starting Wed., Jan. 18 as Executive ADA David Haden.

In this exclusive sneak peek of the episode above, Hargitay's Detective Benson meets Connick Jr.'s ADA Haden for the first time and there is some serious sexual tension. The hotshot ADA is handling a very special case, much to the surprise of Benson and Detective Amaro (Danny Pino).

Here is NBC's description of Connick Jr.'s first episode episode:

When the CEO of a private military contractor is found assaulted, the DA's office joins the SVU detectives to investigate a motive with international ties ... The powerful CEO of a private military contractor is confronted by protesters and later found drugged and sexually assaulted in a park. Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Amaro (Danny Pino) begin their investigation but find the victim unwilling to cooperate. As the SVU squad and Executive ADA David Haden (guest star Harry Connick Jr.) explore the motives behind the attack, a much larger crime and conspiracy in Iraq is unveiled.

NBC announced the multi-talented performer's guest role in early January in a special video presentation at the Television Critics Association press tour.

In the same video, Hargitay announced she was staying with the show for another season. "I'll be back. I can't leave this show," Hargitay said. "I'm having too much fun."

"Law & Order: SVU" airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. EST on NBC.

Comments

[Quickslvrgrl]

02:26 AM on 01/21/2012

Wow, he sucks hard at acting. Kathy Griffin did better than him on her guest role. So cute, but unwatchable.

[rebeccabakic]

02:00 AM on 01/21/2012

No Elliot, no me watchy.

[Nancy Witmyer]

01:49 AM on 01/21/2012

he is no elliot.

[Olivio]

01:25 AM on 01/21/2012

Where is the sexual tension?

[marissajz]

10:31 PM on 01/20/2012

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. I didn't see any sexual tension what so ever.

[Omar Devone Little]

09:31 PM on 01/20/2012

Sigh...when Stabler left I thought I had an opening with Benson, now this jerk comes in and steals my spotlight...lame.

[Knot MaFawlt]

09:15 PM on 01/20/2012

Now THAT otta be good! He is fun and she needs someone to bring some happiness into her life, she is too deep into the job. Keeping Stabler under control wore her out. Time to play a bit.

[brooklyncitizen]

12:09 AM on 01/21/2012

you do realize it is a tv show don't you? : )

[Knot MaFawlt]

04:20 AM on 01/21/2012

Well, yeah, didn't YOU? The article is about bringing in a love interest for OLIVIA, not Mariska. Duh

[Nancy Schiltz]

07:53 PM on 01/20/2012

With Cristopher Malone leaving Law and Order SVU the show is not the same. It has no synergistic appeal. They are trying all kinds of new faces and they are falling fast. I have seen 3 of the shows and that was enough. The relationship between Marska and Christopher was what made the show authentic. If you can't bring Christopher back, just drop the show. The new characters just don't have what it takes. You can tell they are acting. In addition all the other prevous actors just don't seem to be working well without Christopher either. What do you plan to do before it's to late and the show is canceled.

[zen08]

08:25 PM on 01/20/2012

I agree. I also read that they have new writers and such -- they are also adding to the disappointment. The whole new production makes it look like all the other generic, dramatic shows.

[Nancy Schiltz]

02:15 PM on 01/21/2012

There are so few shows the are authentic. I wish that we could get some kind of a petition so that they could return Christopher Maloni to the set. Maryska is great but she needs Chris back. How do we sent this thought to NBC

[Adria Retos]

01:27 AM on 01/21/2012

I totally agree with you.

[rain39]

07:04 PM on 01/20/2012

Her new partner is not nearly as good as Stabler. I really miss him.

[suzabellawilliam]

09:34 PM on 01/20/2012

I know he is one hot looking man!! liked to watch him, only reason I watched the show

[marissajz]

10:35 PM on 01/20/2012

Sadly it's true. It's really bizarre because Danny Pino was Cold Case's version of Stabler, and he fit and it worked beautifully with Kathryn Morris. But here, there's just absolutely no chemistry.

[rain39]

07:02 PM on 01/20/2012

Oh, yes, they do steam! I've been following a retrospective of ALL these shows since the beginning which is a huge commitment. When I watched this current one, it was like watching a totally different show. Finally, some character development for her! Whee!! ...and he is delicious....

[djpassa]

03:21 PM on 01/20/2012

Still love this show but HCJ is NOT a good actor. Oh well.

[Martiniman]

12:58 PM on 01/20/2012

Missing Meloni a bit as well, but they made his character a bit too righteous toward the end of his days…glad Mariska is staying on and I’m happy in having Harry Connick on as it means his wife Jill Goodacre could do a cameo!

[kiddo418]

12:12 PM on 01/20/2012

It's about time.

[ZonaCumia]

12:02 PM on 01/20/2012

Mariska Hargitay is just....Wow!

[2SoonOld2LateSmart]

11:31 AM on 01/20/2012

Makin' lotsa money, too, along with the fun, eh, Mariska?
Mom ( Jayne Mansfield) would have been proud :)