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Law & Order: SVU is about to premiere its 22nd season, and it’s almost hard to believe. The series will return on Thursday, November 12, at 9 p.m. E.S.T. There will be a new series regular as well, and Mariska Hargitay, who plays Captain Olivia Benson, recently congratulated that person on social media.

How Mariska Hargitay congratulates the newest series regular

Demore Barnes and Mariska Hargitay
Demore Barnes and Mariska Hargitay | Virginia Sherwood/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Demore Barnes, who plays Deputy Chief Christian Garland, was recently appointed as a series regular on SVU. According to Deadline, the actor was promoted in October. His first appearance came in season 21, and he’ll now return for the all-new season. Garland is an important asset to the team. He’s even gone undercover before, according to his character’s official Fandom page.

Hargitay gave a shout out to Barnes in two videos, after hitting her knee in the first one, she decided to refilm her congratulations to the actor. They both laugh hysterically about it, and they seem to be having a good time behind-the-scenes.

“Hey everyone, Captain Benson checking in here from behind-the-scenes at SVU,” Hargitay says in the first video on Instagram. “And I just wanted to officially congratulate our new series regular, Demore Barnes.” He suddenly comes into the camera view as Hargitay adds: “We’re so thrilled to have him and we are absolutely thrilled to share…Ow!” Hargitay says at that moment after a thump can be heard. “That was my knee.” They both laugh at the blunder and luckily do a second take.

There’s a second take as well

Demore Barnes, Mariska Hargitay, and Ice-T
Demore Barnes, Mariska Hargitay, and Ice-T | Virginia Sherwood/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
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“Let’s try that again,” Hargitay says in the second video posted to her Instagram. She’s seated next to Barnes as she congratulates him. “This time I’m sitting down,” she says. “Hey everyone. Just wanted to welcome Demore Barnes, our new series regular to SVU and tell you how excited we are for you to watch ‘Guardians and Gladiators’ tomorrow night.”

Barnes himself adds a little bit to the video as well. “Yeah, we are really excited,” Barnes says. “I’m really thrilled to be here and there is a lot of pent up anticipation for this episode. And there’s a lot that’s just been pent up in general. And we’re just really, really looking forward to you seeing it and for you to know that we have put our utmost into this.”

“Um yeah, I think you said it perfectly,” Hargitay said. “Anyway, we’ll see you tomorrow night. Sending love and safety to all of you out there.” They both say “love ya” to the camera and to their fans.

The new season will start with the episode titled “Guardians and Gladiators,” according to IMDb. The plot is as follows: “When the squad tries to solve an assault in Central Park, they are hampered by their own blind spots and a community that is losing trust in the police.”

Fans can’t wait for Law & Order: SVU to return to our television screens. Hopefully, it will be everything fans are hoping it will be.

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