Law & Order: Special Victims Unit films upcoming episode on the East River Esplanade | Upper East Site
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit films upcoming episode on the East River Esplanade | Upper East Site

Law & Order: SVU Films Upcoming Episode on the Upper East Side

Captain Olivia Benson and company descended on the Upper East Side Tuesday morning to film what appeared to be a pivotal scene in an upcoming episode of the long-running NBC hit series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit featuring a fictionalized version of the real NYPD squad.

SVU's Mariska Hargitay (left) and Octavio Pisano (center) on set between takes | Upper East Site
SVU’s Mariska Hargitay (left) and Octavio Pisano (center) on set between takes | Upper East Site

Exclusive photos of the set on the East River Esplanade captured by Upper East Site show series star Mariska Hargatay in character as Capt. Olivia Benson, having an intense discussion with fellow SVU detective Joe Valesco, portrayed by Octavio Pisano, who joined the cast last season.

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Benson and Valesco begin the scene leaning against the railing along the Esplanade having a conversation, when the tone suddenly shifts and Capt. Benson turns and rips off her sunglasses during an intense exchange.

Hargitay and Pisano filmed what appeared to be a pivotal scene | Upper East Site
Hargitay and Pisano filmed what appeared to be a pivotal scene | Upper East Site
Capt. Benson pulls off her sunglasses during the intense exchange with Det. Velasco | Upper East Site
Capt. Benson pulls off her sunglasses during the intense exchange with Det. Velasco | Upper East Site

It’s not clear what the discussion is about, however, a synopsis about this Thursday’s new episode of SVU, the 12th this season, reveals that “Velasco takes drastic action to get information from a witness.”

SVU Det. Joe Valesco is portrayed by Octavio Pisano | Upper East Site
SVU Det. Joe Valesco is portrayed by Octavio Pisano | Upper East Site
Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay spoke with the production crew between takes | Upper East Site
Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay spoke with the production crew between takes | Upper East Site

More importantly, a teaser video released by NBC shows Capt. Benson and her former SVU partner Det. Eliot Stabler in an intimate embrace appearing like they are about to kiss — which would be first time in the series history.

The Upper East Side has become a Little Hollywood of sorts over the past two years, with a bevy of hit series using streets and parks in the neighborhood to film, including HBO’s And Just Like That, NBC’s The Blacklist, Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Showtime’s Billions, CBS’ The Equalizer, as well as Hulu’s Fleishman is in Trouble and Only Murders in the Building.

Sarah Jessica Parker shoots a scene for 'And Just Like That' on Madison Avenue | Upper East Site
Sarah Jessica Parker shoots a scene for ‘And Just Like That’ on Madison Avenue | Upper East Site

ALSO READ | Hulu Hit ’Only Murders in the Building’ Takes Over Yorkville Block to Film Show’s Second Season

Steve Martin, Selena Gomez and Martin Short film 'Only Murders in the Building' at the Mansion diner/Upper East Site
Steve Martin, Selena Gomez and Martin Short film ‘Only Murders in the Building’ at the Mansion diner | Upper East Site

Upper East Site has learned Tuesday’s SVU shoot at Carl Schurz Park and the East River Esplanade would appear in the show’s 15th episode, which is expected to hit the airwaves late next month.

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