Warning: This story contains major spoilers from a recent episode ofLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Read at your own risk.
Esparza has effectively exited as a series regular, but the door is open for him to return.
Michael Parmelee/NBC
“It has truly been an honor writing for Raul,“SVUshowrunner Michael Chernuchin says.
Raul is family and we look forward to seeing his talent shine in new projects.
As for Barba,SVUfans may see him again soon.”
ThoughSVUhas been on for 19 seasons, the show hasn’t seen too much turnover in recent years.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Was it your decision to leave the series?
RAUL ESPARZA:Yes.
Why did you decide to leave now?
I’ve done six seasons, I felt like it was time to go.
I had explored a lot of what I thought Barba was about.
I just felt it was time to move on.
You were also close with formerSVUshowrunner Warren Leight, who exited a few seasons back.
Was that a factor in your decision to leave?
Yeah, I think that’s pretty much understood.
[Laughs]
Were you surprised by the way in which Barba exited the series?
Yeah, it wasn’t really a way that I figured that he would go out.
But I do have to say that when we worked on the script, it was pretty extraordinary.
And this particular script was something very dear to him.
Were there alternate ways in which Barba could leave, like him dying?
I’m glad they left that door open.
Would you be interested in returning to SVU in the future?
Absolutely, because I’m really rooting for the opportunity to make television history with the series.
It’s chemistryit happens or doesn’t, and it happened.
It almost seemed like there was a potential for romance between Barba and Benson.
Did you ever think the show would go that route?
No, I didn’t, honestly, because they are both workaholics.
His ambition has driven him.
Is there anything you wish you got to do with Barba that you didn’t get a chance to?
When they do the Barba spin-off, maybe we can go in that direction, right?
That’s the only thing we glanced at, but never really got into it.
So that’s pretty rich stuff to get to play with.
What was it like having Sam Waterston and Philip Winchester come in for your final episode?
I mean, I miss it.
I still feel like a newbie at this.
The relationship with the camera, the camera can read your mind.
There’s no audience in any theater that can do what a camera can do.
What a television series does is put you in people’s homes all over the world.
It just completely transforms how far your acting can go and who it reaches.
I am most grateful for the opportunity of rounding out my career.
It was a big theater career, and now I’ve been able to do these other projects.
Any dream shows you would want to appear on?
Right now, I’m kind of obsessing overThe Crown.
And who doesn’t want to be onGame of Thrones, honestly?
It’s hard to watch television when you’re making television.
I’ve been catching up on some shows, and right now I’m currently obsessing aboutThe Crown.
I think it’s some of the best acting I’ve seen on TV.
I’m like, “Huh, I wonder if there’s a role I can play there?”
Law & Order: Special Victims Unitairs Wednesdays at 9 p.m.
