Long before Kelli Giddish made her “SVU” debut as Amanda Rollins, the actress appeared as an entirely different character in a Season 8 episode. Credited as Kara Bawson in the episode “Outsider,” Giddish plays a victim integral to Fin Tutuola’s (Ice-T) pursuit of a serial rapist (via IMDb).
Giddish isn’t the only “SVU” cast member to play a small part in the series before eventually nabbing a bigger role. Diane Neal, best known for playing Senior Assistant District Attorney Casey Novak, first appeared in a Season 3 episode as a lawyer named Amanda Chase. Similarly, Peter Scanavino had an early “SVU” role before signing on to play Carisi.
But “SVU” wasn’t the only series in the “Law & Order” universe in which Giddish appeared. A few months after her “SVU” debut in January of 2007, the actress secured a role in a Season 7 episode of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” Giddish was credited as Dana Stipe, a professional diver who’s a suspect.
Though Giddish’s role on “SVU” has been a constant for over a decade, the actress admitted that it’s fun to bring the character outside of the usual “Law & Order” orbit. “It’s so great coming onto another set,” Giddish said of her crossover episode on “Chicago P.D.” (via ScreenSlam). “You get to play the same character, but it’s a completely different set … It’s all hand-held stuff, so the style is a little different than ‘SVU.'”
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).