Law & Order: SVU showrunner Warren Leight recently tweeted about the return of Ice T in season 17 of the NBC series.

Rollins To Get "Obsessed" With A Case In Season 17  

Leight teased the possibility of T's character Odafin Tutuola coming back as Olivia's (Mariska Hargitay) sergeant in the next chapter. He responded to a fan query regarding Tutuola's return and also posed the question of his promotion:

Another big comeback in season 17 will be that of guest star Dallas Roberts. Serial killer Greg Yates -- the murderous doc who horrified viewers in the Law & Order SVU and Chicago P.D. crossover. The Hollywood Reporter got this tid bit revealing the premiere will be quite phenomenal as Roberts portrayed a very chilling Yates and the actor will be reprising the role.

Season 17 Premiere To Be 'Big 2 Part 2 Hour' Long Episode

The report doesn't have any details on how Yates will be making his comeback as the last fans saw of him, he was locked up for his crimes. This murderer left his mark as he killed a recurring character, Nadia (Stella Maeve).

Perhaps Yates might have some connection to a new crime from behind the bars or might help the intelligence unit solve a crime Hannibal Lecter style.

Meanwhile, as fans are still reeling from the exit of Nick Amaro (Danny Pino) in the season 16 finale. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Leight suggested that while Amaro's departure was kind of definite for now, this might not be the final goodbye.

"So far, Cragen's come back and Munch has come back, and even Dean [Winters] came back," he said. "I try to leave that door open. I would like to be able to bring him back. At this point, it depends on where he is and what he's doing and what the story needs. That's one of the advantages of not killing a character that you like. On Criminal Intent after I left, they killed off Captain Ross and there have been a couple of times where I just wish I had him for an episode. And Jill Hennessy's character was killed off [on Law & Order], and there have been a couple of times where I wanted to bring her in. I'm not sure it's a great idea to kill off characters who have brought a lot to this show."

Season 17 of Law & Order: SVU will premiere on Sept. 23 at 9 p.m.

Watch a preview of the finale for season 16:

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