Law and Order: SVU is adding one of America's favorite actors. Next week Peter Gallagher joins the cast of the hit show and goes right into it with Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay).

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According to E! News on Friday, Gallagher plays Deputy Chief Dodds in an episode called Pornstar's Requiem. Dodds immediately talks to Benson about protocol and procedure at SVU.

In the episode according to the website, "a college freshman, who is also a porn star, accuses her classmates of rape."

"Detective Fin Tutuola (Ice-T) tries to come to Benson's defense, but Benson stands her ground like a good sergeant."

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This reportedly leads Dodds to say, "Don't preach sergeant, not with egg on your face." Dodds is described as "charismatic" and the "tough-as-nails" boss of all special victims units in New York City.

"I've wanted to write for and work with Peter Gallagher since...forever. He's an actor's actor-deft with text and subtext; emotion and intellect," executive producer Warren Leight said about the role in September to E! News. "Like everyone else in our cast, he's also a great singer. We're all thrilled that this long into the show's run, actors of his quality want to do an arc on SVU." Gallagher has been on Covert Affairs and The O.C. most recently.

Law and Order: SVU airs Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.

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