Talented stage and screen actress Anika Noni Rose will make a guest appearance on the season premiere of Law & Order SVU this Wednesday (Sept 21st) at 10pm/est on NBC.

Law & Order often mimics stories from real news headlines and this episode, titled “Scorched Earth,” will be no different. Rose will play a hotel maid accusing a powerful Italian diplomat, being played by Franco Nero, of rape.

Here’s a more detailed description:

The detectives of the Special Victims Unit are called to the scene when a hotel maid (Rose) reports being assaulted by Italian diplomat Robert Distasio (Nero). Bureau Chief Mike Cutter (Linus Roache) and ADA Alex Cabot (Stephanie March) prosecute the high-profile case, which quickly grows more complicated as the maid’s credibility is publicly questioned. Detective Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) joins the Manhattan SVU from Atlanta, while Benson (Hargitay) struggles to cope with the fall-out from the shooting in the precinct.

This episode will also debut two new characters played by Danny Pino and Kelli Giddish. Pino replaces Elliot Stabler (Christoper Meloni) as Olivia’s new partner. Below is a clip introducing the new characters.

[Source: Allthingslawandorder.blogspot.com]