'Law And Order: SVU' Cast

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit launched as the first Law & Order universe spin-off back in 1999. The cast has undergone many additions and departures, as well as some long-term lifespans! In our first photo, we see the cast in season 2 (2000), when debatably the most popular set of stars assembled for the first time: Stephanie March, Richard Belzer, Mariska Hargitay, Dann Florek, Christopher Meloni, and Ice-T. Explore their time with SVU and everything that's changed since in this gallery!

First, we take a step back to the summer of 1999, a few months before SVU premiered on NBC that fall. In this photo, we see "Stabler" and "Benson" together before they'd go on to become stars of the Law & Order universe. Christopher Meloni was 38 at the time, while Mariska Hargitay was 35.

"Stabler" and "Benson" suit up for a promo shot along with "John Munch" (Richard Belzer, at left) and "Donald Cragen" (Dann Florek, at right) in this season 1 photograph. The cast underwent changes over the next few seasons, but this foursome stuck together for over a decade on SVU.

RELATED: This Was the Full Cast of Law & Order: SVU - Season 1

Fast forward a few years and the SVU cast gained some new faces - who came to stay, too. Ice-T (far left) joined the main cast in season 2 and remains with the show to this day. Stephanie March (far right) made her debut the same season, while BD Wong (second from right) joined in season 4 and remained with the show until season 17. The unit is seen in this season 5 photo from 2003.

Law & Order: SVU crossed a big milestone in season 5, when the cast gathered to celebrate the 100th episode of the series. Stephanie March, Dann Florek, Christopher Meloni, and Mariska Hargitay are seen posing with the celebratory cake here in 2003!

RELATED: Law & Order - The Cast Then & Now

The SVU family was growing by season 10! At that time, the main cast was nearing a decade together, while Stephanie March had been downgraded to a recurring role. Tamara Tunie's "Kim Greylak" (far left) had joined the main cast in season 7, and short-lived cast member Michaela McManus (second from right) also makes an appearance in this 2008 photo.

SVU had one of its first major departures in season 12, when Meloni's "Det. Elliot Stabler" exited the series. He will be returning to the Law & Order universe in 2020, but he's seen here with "Benson" in one of his final season 12 appearances back in 2010.

RELATED: Mariska Hargitay Welcomes Christopher Meloni Back to Law & Order

Milestone time, part two! Law & Order: SVU hit its 300th episode in season 13, which aired in 2011-12. The series veterans - Ice-T, Florek, Belzer, and Hargitay - were joined that same season by Danny Pino (second from left) and Kelli Giddish (third from left) following the departure of Christopher Meloni.

Big changes came for SVU after season 15. Richard Belzer and Dann Florek exited, bringing an end to their runs with the show since season 1. New to the seasons 15 and 16 cast were Peter Scanavino, Danny Pino, and Raul Esparza, who are seen posing with Mariska Hargitay and Dick Wolf in this 2014 image.

The unit is seen in action in this season 17 episode! "Carisi," "Benson," "Fin," and "Rollins" are all still with SVU heading into season 22.