
Law & Order: SVU is facing a behind-the-scenes budget crunch so severe that Ice-T says producers told him the show simply 'couldn't afford' to feature both him and returning co-star Kelli Giddish in every episode.
Speaking to TMZ in comments later reported by Variety, the long-running cast member revealed that his sharply reduced screen time in Season 27 is the result of NBC tightening the show's financial belt — leaving two of the drama's most recognisable stars competing for limited episode resources.