‘SVU’ Star Peter Scanavino Reveals Mariska Hargitay’s Tips on Parenting
Peter Scanavino’s portrayal of ADA Dominick Carisi on “Law & Order: SVU” begins the new year with a call for support from his colleagues.
In the January 16 episode titled “First Light,” Carisi confronts the remnants of his trauma after being taken hostage in the fall 2024 finale. As the suspect alters his plea this week, Carisi finds it challenging to progress.
Scanavino approached his character’s emotional arc without extensive preparation, opting instead to treat it as an extension of his own life experiences.
“I juggle many responsibilities in my everyday life and on the show,” he shared with TODAY.com during an interview. “Everything tends to be a bit chaotic, which reflects what’s unfolding in the series—there’s little time to pause and contemplate what’s happening.”
In the fall finale, Carisi spent a significant part of the episode taken hostage in a local bodega by two men; one of whom fatally shot the store’s cashier while the other assaulted a female customer.
The forthcoming episode centers on a woman who receives a video revealing details from a night she has no memory of, leading to unexpected truths and decisions that provoke Carisi as he endeavors to perform his duties.
“Stuff keeps happening, and whatever emotional or personal issues you’re dealing with have to be integrated into your responsibilities because life moves on, whether you want it to or not, and you must find a way to cope,” he elaborates.
Carisi’s relationship with his former boss-turned-peers, Capt. Olivia Benson, portrayed by Mariska Hargitay, is one of his most vital connections.
Scanavino characterizes the relationship between Carisi and Benson as “very trusting and respectful,” indicating that their strong bond transcends beyond the screen.

He reveals that he’s gained “a lot of good advice” from Hargitay, including personal insights, but one piece of parenting wisdom from the mother of three resonates with him the most.
“She offered a valuable parenting tip to my wife and me: don’t threaten your children with a punishment unless you’re ready to enforce it,” he shares.
“If you say, ‘One more time, and we’re going home,’ you must mean it,” he continues. “It’s been a crucial lesson and principle for me as a parent.”
Scanavino has been married to Lisha Bai for 13 years, but his character on the show is married to Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish), who will make an appearance in Thursday’s episode. Giddish was confirmed to reprise her role as Rollins in Season 26 in September 2024, following several guest spots after her departure from the main cast in 2022.

Scanavino refers to the Carisi/Rollins partnership, affectionately known as “Rollisi,” as “still very strong,” yet acknowledges that, like any relationship, it comes with challenges that must be addressed over time.
“When we interacted daily, it felt a bit more relaxed,” he reflects on his time with Giddish, “but now it’s more about catching up—‘What’s new in your life? How are the kids?’”
He notes that their reunion usually starts with a bit of catching up.
“Then we seamlessly slide back into our character dynamics on-screen, which reflect a deep friendship,” he adds.

Although Carisi has Rollins to support him during this particularly challenging period, Scanavino notes that Carisi’s trauma will not be resolved in a single episode.
“I believe it will continue to manifest in various forms throughout different episodes,” Scanavino indicates.
“He’s harboring considerable anger from the events at the deli and confronted with how the case will unfold in the future,” he adds.
Looking ahead, a visit from district attorney Nicholas Baxter (Tony Goldwyn) is on the horizon, as he will crossover from “Law & Order” for a guest spot on “SVU” in a later episode.
A promo released earlier this month showcased a scene with Carisi and Benson alongside Baxter.
Scanavino describes Goldwyn as “a fantastic person.”
“It’s fascinating when you know someone based solely on reputation, then meet in person and end up having a great conversation. It’s always a pleasant surprise,” he states.
“I really enjoy the crossover events that bridge the two series,” he elaborates. “It feels like it connects our show to theirs—it’s a neat experience.”
“Law & Order: SVU” airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, following “Law & Order” at 8 p.m. Both series are available for streaming the following day on Peacock.
(Peacock is owned by our parent company, NBCUniversal.)