Law and Order: SVU kept the surprises coming in the season 27 premiere with an original cast member being killed off screen.

During the Thursday, September 25, episode of the hit NBC series, Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) revealed that fan-favorite character Captain Donald Cragen (Dann Florek) died before the events of the premiere.

“He was the best boss I ever had,” Olivia said. “Everything I know about being a captain, I learned from him.”

At the memorial, Fin Tutuola (Ice-T) admitted that he’s considered retiring. Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni), meanwhile, made an appearance but wouldn’t enter the memorial, so Olivia had to go outside to meet him.

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