Former Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Raúl Esparza isn’t against coming back to the beloved NBC procedural.

Esparza appeared at the Law & Order Season 25 celebration event, held in New York City on January 6, where he was interviewed by TV Insider about whether he’d ever make a SVU come back. As fans are aware, Esparza starred as Assistant District Attorney Rafael Barba from the show’s 14th to 19th seasons. He made guest appearances in the show’s 21st, 22nd, and 23rd seasons, as reported by IMDb. Barba’s most recent episode was the season finale for season 23, which aired in 2022.

During his January 6 interview with TV Insider, Esparza suggested he would like to film for Law & Order: SVU again if the opportunity presented itself.

“Barba’s always waiting in the wings. I’d be very happy to come and do stuff. He’s such a great character to visit, so at least they didn’t kill him off,” said Esparza in the interview with TV Insider.

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In the TV Insider interview, Esparza also spoke about Barba’s tense relationship with Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay). In the season 23 finale, Benson let Barba know that while she still resents him for defending Richard Wheatley (Dylan McDermott), she does miss him.

Esparza told TV Insider that he believes Barba “adores” Benson. He said, however, that he agrees with his character that Benson “has her grudges.”

“And I think that they make a spectacular team. It’s one of the best things that happened with that role is that the two of us, particularly as Barba and Benson, got to sort of revitalize the idea of what the show could be and how we took each other on,” said Esparza to the publication. “And it was … I mean, I hope that there will be more life somewhere in there because the fans are dying for it. But I honestly loved the way that ended. I really did. I thought, ‘Everyone’s going to be so pissed off. This is great.’”

In addition, the actor said he would like the characters to eventually rekindle their friendship if Barba came back to the series.

“Finding a way to work together again, I think. Lord knows what their friendship would reveal. Benson is not a character who has an easy time being happy. And I don’t think Barba does either. [Laughs],” said Esparza in the TV Insider interview.

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Fans Want Raúl Esparza Back on ‘Law & Order: SVU’

On January 6, the official Law & Order Instagram account shared a video of Esparza joyously throwing silver confetti in the air at the Law & Order 25th Anniversary Party.

“Raúl Esparza has officially arrived at the Law & Order 25th Anniversary Party!
#LawAndOrder and #SVU return this Thursday with a two-hour crossover event 8/7c on @NBC and streaming next day on Peacock,” read the caption of the post.

Several fans flocked to the post’s comments section to share that they wanted Esparza to film for Law & Order: SVU again.

“Miss him so much on SVU. The best ADA of the franchise,” wrote a commenter.

“Bring Barba back to SVU please!!” added another.

“Barba’s character was what motivated me to become who I am today. Law & Order: SVU guided my career, but Raúl Esparza and his character was my motivation,” shared a different person.

“Barba needs to make a comeback on SVU,” commented a fan.

“Bring back Barba!!” chimed in a fifth person.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is currently in its 27th season.