What Happened to Kelli Marie Giddish?
Kelli Giddish is an American actress best known for her role as Detective/Sergeant Amanda Rollins on the long-running NBC crime drama "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." After departing as a series regular in Season 24, she made guest appearances before officially returning as a full-time cast member for Season 27 and continuing into Season 28.
Quick Answer
Kelli Giddish, known for her role as Amanda Rollins on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," initially left the show as a series regular in Season 24 (2022). Following significant fan reaction, she returned for guest appearances in Seasons 25 and 26. As of May 2025, it was announced she would rejoin the cast as a series regular for Season 27, which premiered in early 2026, and continues in this role for Season 28, which premiered on October 8, 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born in Cumming, Georgia
Kelli Marie Giddish was born in Cumming, Georgia.
Joins 'All My Children'
Giddish began her television career portraying Diana Henry on the soap opera 'All My Children'.
Guest Stars on 'Law & Order: SVU'
Giddish made a guest appearance on 'Law & Order: SVU' in Season 8, Episode 12, playing the character Kara Bawson, a sexual assault survivor, years before joining the main cast.
Joins 'Law & Order: SVU' as Amanda Rollins
Kelli Giddish joined 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' as Detective Amanda Rollins in its 13th season, becoming a series regular.
Marries Lawrence Faulborn
Giddish married Lawrence Faulborn in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
First Son, Ludo, is Born
Giddish gave birth to her first child, son Ludo. Her pregnancy was written into 'SVU'.
Divorces Lawrence Faulborn and Second Son, Charlie, is Born
Giddish and Lawrence Faulborn divorced. Later that year, she gave birth to their second son, Charlie.
Marries Beau Richards
Kelli Giddish eloped with Beau Richards, whom she met on the set of 'SVU' where he worked as her driver.
Departs 'SVU' as Series Regular
Giddish left 'Law & Order: SVU' as a series regular during Season 24, with her character Amanda Rollins becoming a professor.
Third Son, Oldie, is Born
Giddish gave birth to her third son, Oldie, her first child with husband Beau Richards.
Returns for 'SVU' Season 25 Premiere
Following her departure, Giddish made a guest appearance in the Season 25 premiere of 'Law & Order: SVU'.
Confirmed for Multiple 'SVU' Season 26 Appearances
It was confirmed that Kelli Giddish would return for multiple guest appearances in 'Law & Order: SVU' Season 26.
Announced as Series Regular for 'SVU' Season 27
News broke that Kelli Giddish would return to 'Law & Order: SVU' as a series regular for its 27th season.
Discusses Full-Time 'SVU' Return on Today Show
Kelli Giddish appeared on the Today show to discuss her return as a full-time series regular for 'Law & Order: SVU' Season 27.
'Law & Order: SVU' Season 28 Premieres
Kelli Giddish returns as a series regular for the premiere of 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' Season 28, continuing her role as Amanda Rollins.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Kelli Giddish began her acting career in the mid-2000s, gaining early recognition for her role as Diana Henry on the soap opera "All My Children" from 2005 to 2007. She also appeared in the thriller film "Death in Love" (2008) and had lead roles in the short-lived crime dramas "Past Life" (2010) and "Chase" (2010-2011).
Her most prominent role came in 2011 when she joined the cast of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" as Detective Amanda Rollins, starting in Season 13. Interestingly, Giddish had a prior guest appearance on "SVU" in 2007, portraying a different character, Kara Bawson, a sexual assault survivor. Over more than a decade, Rollins became a fan-favorite character, with her storylines often incorporating Giddish's real-life pregnancies.
In 2022, Giddish departed "SVU" as a series regular during Season 24, a decision that reportedly surprised both fans and some cast members. Her character, Amanda Rollins, left the NYPD to become a forensic psychology professor after marrying Assistant District Attorney Dominick Carisi Jr. (Peter Scanavino). This exit sparked considerable fan outcry and petitions for her return.
The strong fan demand led to Giddish making several guest appearances. She reprised her role for the Season 25 premiere in January 2024 and was confirmed for multiple guest appearances throughout Season 26 in September 2024. The consistent positive reception to her returns culminated in the announcement in May 2025 that Kelli Giddish would rejoin "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" as a full-time series regular for Season 27.
As of October 8, 2026, Kelli Giddish is a series regular on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," with Season 28 having just premiered. She has spoken about the excitement of returning to the show and the support from fans. In her personal life, Giddish has three sons: Ludo (born October 2015) and Charlie (born November 2018) from her previous marriage to Lawrence Faulborn (married 2015, divorced 2018), and Oldie (born June 2023) with her current husband, Beau Richards, whom she married in November 2021. She met Richards, who was her driver, on the set of "SVU."
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Kelli Marie Giddish made different choices?