In a television machine as long-running as “Law & Order,” it’s not unusual for an actor to play a minor character and later join the cast in a different role. What is unusual is a guest character returning seasons later in a full-time role — as captain. Just ask “Law & Order: SVU” star Aimé Donna Kelly, who was promoted to series regular ahead of Season 27.
“I did not think I was going to land it,” Kelly tells TODAY.com of her audition for the role of Capt. Renee Curry. “And when I did, I was so excited. I was so happy.”
Her character first appeared as an IAB captain who questioned Special Victims Unit Capt. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) about her involvement in a case in Season 22.
“I was really proud of that first episode where you meet Curry,” Kelly says. “She’s kind of putting Benson to the fire a little bit and asking her why she made certain arrests. I think it was a great introduction to this character who is strong but also extremely empathetic and just someone that fights for truth and justice.”
That kind of fight is one she has in common with Benson, who leads her team in a way Curry is not accustomed to.
Hargitay recently reflected on the scene in an interview with “Access,” saying she realized she was “in the presence of such an incredible actress and somebody so powerful who has this natural gravitas.”
Kelly says when viewers met Curry, her character was “a by-the-book kind of cop” with her job in internal affairs.
“She does not like people that take shortcuts or that try to skirt the rules, and then she meets Benson, who kind of toes that line,” she explains. “And Benson teaches her that there’s a time and a place, right? … And there’s a reason why you kind of have to push back against authority a little bit.
“And I think for Curry that’s nerve-wracking but also exciting because it’s in the pursuit of justice.”
After Curry’s three appearances in Seasons 22 and 23, Kelly says she found out through her agents at the time the show wanted to bring her back for one episode in the 25th season. She remembers breaking the exciting news to her students at Marymount Manhattan College, where she taught acting, thinking she would just be gone for a few days.
“Then I get the script, I read it, and I actually went back to my agents, and I was like, ‘Um, I don’t know if this is going to be a one-episode deal. It kind of looks like Curry is sticking around,’” she explains.
Kelly, who also has a background in theater, says she has remained “sustained” as an actor because of teaching, adding she wanted to be onstage at night and in the classroom during the day.
“Teaching has always been a part of my artistry, like, ever since I’ve gotten into this business,” Kelly says.
After filming that episode, she says the casting department asked her agents if she could do two or three more episodes, which extended her leave of absence from teaching.
She ended up appearing in 10 out of the 13 episodes in a shortened 25th season after Benson made a position for Curry at the Special Victims Unit.
“It was just very clear that Curry fit so well with the squad,” Kelly says, citing Curry and Benson’s “budding” friendship.
“It just felt so natural,” she says. “And as an actor, speaking personally, getting to work with Mariska and learn from her, I think you’re seeing kind of a reflection of that in these two characters. Like, Curry learned so much from Benson, and me, Aimé, I’m learning so much from Mariska. So, it just translates really well on screen, I think — I hope.”
Hargitay said the same is true for her, telling “Access” the two “learn from each other.”
“Aimé is also, besides being an amazing actor, she’s an acting teacher, and it’s just so fun because she’s a badass on screen, but off it’s a different story,” Hargitay said, laughing. “She’s a little buttercup.”
Working With Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T and Kelli Giddish
Kelly says she has “never seen someone take such joyful command of a space” when discussing her love of working alongside Hargitay.
She describes the atmosphere on set as being filled with “just so much joy, so much laughter, but also this natural leadership that Mariska has.”
“Her energy really does trickle down to everyone on set,” Kelly adds. “It’s amazing to be around that, and I think I’ve really taken that. I’ve learned that.”
She says the cast wants to welcome those who join “SVU” to ensure they have “a great experience” because of the show’s difficult subject matter.
“We want to make sure you have the space to do the work that you need to do, to portray these lives, these stories, but we also want to make sure that everyone is taken care of,” Kelly says. “And I’ve learned that from her, and it’s really special to see that.”
Another “SVU” legend who’s brought a unique kind of energy to the set since the show’s second season is Ice-T.
“Ice is — oh my God, I don’t even know that I can put words to describe Ice,” Kelly says, laughing. “He always has a story. Every time you come on set, there’s always something that’s happened in his life, or, like, any kind of advice. If you’re going through something, he’s got that advice for you.”
Ice-T is also known for dropping his wisdom on social media in the form of “Ice Cold Facts.”
“He’s just a plethora of knowledge,” Kelly says. “It’s awesome to be around him and his energy.”
She also “can’t even describe” what it’s like to witness longtime friends Hargitay and Ice-T together on set.
“I wish everyone could have a day on set with the two of them,” Kelly says. “It’s so cool.”
Another longtime star, who left her full-time “SVU” role in 2022 and is now returning to the show in a regular capacity, is Kelli Giddish.
Kelly describes Giddish as “super sweet and so talented.”
“It’s amazing to see her come back into this role, and honestly, it does feel a little bit like she never left, because she continued to appear on the show even after her leaving.”
She describes Giddish’s return as the family getting back together.
“It just feels like home,” she says.
What to Expect From Curry in Season 27 of ‘Law & Order: SVU’
Kelly teases that fans will see “a different side of Curry.”
After watching Curry adapt to the changes of moving from internal affairs to the Special Victims Unit, “you’re going to see a lot more confidence,” according to Kelly.
“That badass Curry that used to be in IAB, I think she was kind of putting that on the back burner for a little bit because I was taking everyone else’s lead,” Kelly says.
She says this season viewers should expect to see Curry as “more of a leader, someone who’s confident and someone who’s not afraid to be themselves.”
“Curry’s a little snarky,” Kelly says. “She’s got some sass, and I think that comes out this season.”
As for continuing to have two captains in the squad room, Kelly says it looks to be staying that way — at least so far — and that she’s “so game to do whatever the writers want.”
“Benson and Curry are so different, but they work so well together,” she says. “I think right now it’s working. So, let’s not break up a good team.”
Kelly also credits her experience on “SVU” for making her “stronger as an artist and as a human being.”
“I’ve become an ensemble member,” she says. “There are just so many things that without this show, I don’t know that I would’ve grown in this way. So, I’m so grateful.”
The new season of “Law & Order: SVU” premieres Thursday, Sept. 25, at 9 p.m. ET on NBC after “Law & Order” and streams the following day on Peacock.
(Peacock is part of our parent company, NBCUniversal.)