Jalen Brunson has gone from SVU superfan to SVU detective.
The Knicks star and reigning NBA Finals MVP makes his scripted acting debut on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” tonight, Thursday, November 5, and yes, he’s working alongside Captain Olivia Benson herself.
Brunson plays Detective Madison in “Forsaken,” the fifth episode of the show’s 28th season.
He’s not playing himself this time, either.
In the promo, Benson calls on Madison for help with a case, and he answers with a very official “Hey, Captain.”
How to watch tonight in NYC
- When: Thursday, November 5, at 9 pm ET
- Where: NBC, which is channel 4 (WNBC) in New York
- Streaming live: Any live TV service that carries your local NBC station, like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV or Fubo, will have it in real time
- Streaming later: The episode lands on Peacock the next day
What the episode is about
In “Forsaken,” Benson’s squad investigates an assault at a wedding reception and uncovers a secret along the way, while ADA Sonny Carisi faces an uphill case when key witnesses refuse to cooperate.
Fittingly for a show that’s practically a New York institution, it was shot right here: Brunson and Mariska Hargitay were spotted filming together in Brooklyn back on September 16.
How a Knick ended up on SVU
This cameo has been a long time coming.
Brunson has said on his podcast, “The Roommates Show,” that he’s always loved SVU and even watches it as part of his game-day routine.
Word got back to Hargitay, a longtime Knicks fan, and the two struck up a real friendship.
“I was so flattered and thrilled, because I was such a huge fan,” she said on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”
Since then, Brunson has shown up for her Broadway show “Every Brilliant Thing” and the premiere of her documentary “My Mom Jayne,” and the two teamed up for a sketch that opened this year’s Emmys, which Hargitay hosted.
Not his first time in front of the cameras
Brunson already hosted the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live” in September, though his teammates aren’t exactly sold on a Hollywood career yet.
Josh Hart’s review of his SNL performance: “I think his performance was fine. I don’t think he has a future in acting.”
Tonight, we’ll find out whether Detective Madison changes his mind!
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