For over two decades, Law & Order: SVU has been a cornerstone of crime television, captivating audiences with its gripping stories and compelling characters. From the intense courtroom drama to the heart-wrenching investigations, the show has earned a loyal audience base that tunes in week after week. However, viewers were recently met with unexpected disappointment when news broke that the latest episode was cancelled.

This sudden halt has left many wondering what led to this decision and whether their beloved series will soon return to the screen. 

NBC pulled the upcoming Law & Order: SVU episode after guest star Timothy Busfield was charged with child s-- abuse. The episode titled Corrosive, was scheduled to air on Thursday, January 15, but will no longer be broadcast as planned.

Instead, NBC will air a different episode, Fidelis Ad Mortem, originally set for January 22. The network has not confirmed whether the pulled episode will be rescheduled or permanently shelved.

Busfield was recently charged with two counts of criminal s----- contact, stemming from alleged incidents involving two male child actors on the Fox series The Cleaning Lady. An arrest warrant was reportedly issued on January 9, 2026.

In the SVU episode, Busfield was supposed to portray a respected judge amid a storyline involving abuse allegations, a subject closely tied to the show’s core themes, prompting heightened sensitivity around its airing. This, notably, would not have been the actor’s first Law & Order credit.

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Timothy Busfield has not only appeared as a star on the NBC franchise previously but has also contributed to it as a director several times.

Timothy Busfield appeared as an actor in a Law & Order season 20 episode and later returned for a Season 13 episode of Special Victims Unit. His behind-the-scenes credits include directing two episodes in SVU’s season 20 and one in the original series’ season 22, helping shape the storytelling and tone of the show over the years in various capacities. 

While the future of the pulled episode remains uncertain, the situation highlights the challenges networks face when real-life events intersect with fiction.

Timothy Busfield’s long-standing association with Law & Order now hangs in the balance, leaving viewers and colleagues alike watching closely. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, another familiar face, Mariska Hargitay, from the franchise continues to shine, both within the world of crime-solving and beyond, reminding viewers that the show’s legacy of compelling storytelling and resilient characters remains strong and enduring.

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What do you think of NBC pulling its upcoming episode? Let us know in the comments.