Is Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) getting soft on Law and Order SVU this season? Not quite, but she will be taking it a little easier since becoming a mom.

Olivia Benson Takes New Detective 'Under Her Wing'

Showrunner Warren Leight shared this week with TVLine, "Last year, she took enormous risks in her pursuit of William Lewis; from now on, she's aware there's an infant at home entirely dependent on her."

Since, Benson spent a lot of time last year pursuing Lewis, Leight said that Benson will be facing "a different kind of harrowing challenge" due to having baby Noah at home.

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Benson will also be helping Detective Carisi (Peter Scanavino), who will be acting as the new acting commander. Leight revealed Carisi doesn't exactly fit into the SVU group. He "fits into the group like a plaid jacket in a sea of tuxedos" and Benson will make him her "project."

She will "strive to make the others accept him" in the SVU department. TVLine previously reported that the character was assigned to the Manhattan SVU in Season 16's premiere episode after working in other borough's SVU units.

Despite hesitation, Benson will "show him the ropes" of her SVU unit. You can see the photo of the two together and the cast on the Season 16 premiere HERE.

Law and Order SVU will be back for Season 16 on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 9/8c on NBC.

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