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Tribune News Service
Tribune News Service
Entertainment
Karu F. Daniels

‘Law & Order: SVU’ star Kelli Giddish is exiting hit series after 12 seasons

Another longtime cast member is leaving the “Law & Order” franchise.

Kelli Giddish, who has portrayed Detective Amanda Rollins on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” since 2011, is handing in her badge and gun.

The actress confirmed that the forthcoming season will indeed be her last on the long-running Dick Wolf-helmed procedural drama about the SVU.

“Playing Rollins has been one of the greatest joys and privileges of my life. I’ve been so fortunate to be a part of the ‘Law & Order’ family for the last 12 years,” she shared Wednesday on Instagram.

“There is simply no other character on TV like Rollins,” Giddish continued. “She’s grown and changed, and I have as well. I started on this show when I was in my late 20s and I’m grateful I got to spend so many of my adult years with Rollins in my life.”

According to Variety, the former “All My Children” alum will at least appear in the Sept. 22 premiere episode, which will unite the casts of “Law & Order,” “SVU” and the most recently launched “Law & Order: Organized Crime” in a three-hour crossover event.

“I’m so excited to take all the things I have learned in my time on SVU and put them toward everything that’s next to come,” Giddish said.

And it appears that her beloved character won’t be killed off.

The show’s writer/executive producer Julie Martin assured viewers that “#Rollisi will have a happy ending. Stay tuned” on Twitter.

The moniker refers to the name fans gave to Rollins and Peter Scanavino’s ADA Sonny Carisi, who are romantically linked on the series.

Giddish is the latest “Law & Order” star to depart.

Last year, Jamie Gray Hyder and Demore Barnes, who play Officer Kat Tamin and Deputy Chief Christian Garland, both exited at the start of the 23rd season.

In May, Anthony Anderson confirmed that would not be returning for Season 22 of the flagship New York City-based cop series. The “Black-ish” star reportedly only signed a one-year deal and decided not to stay on the show as Detective Kevin Bernard. He originally starred on “Law & Order” in 2008.

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