The Law & Order: SVU season 27 premiere delivered one of the franchise’s most emotional gut punches yet: the death of Captain Donald Cragen, the beloved character played by Dann Florek . His off-screen passing came after years of mentorship and steady leadership. This set the tone for a somber but unifying episode. The episode brought back familiar faces and underscored the legacy of one of SVU ’s founding figures.

How Captain Cragen’s Death Was Revealed

Cragen’s death was confirmed early in the season premiere. The news rippled through the squad room as Olivia Benson ( Mariska Hargitay ) and her colleagues absorbed the devastating loss. The show chose to honor the character not through graphic dramatization but with heartfelt dialogue and moments of grief. This signaled how de

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