Law and Order: SVU is no stranger to cast changes, but this time viewers got a proper goodbye from Danny Pino.
E! News has confirmed Pino, who joined the show in season 13 alongside Kelli Giddish as new detectives replacing Christopher Meloni, left the series as a series regular as of the season 16 finale. His character, Nick Amaro, has had problems with the brass before and attempted to apply for the sergeant’s exam, but was discouraged. After a shootout in the courtroom that saw him take out Johnny D. (Charles Halford), Benson’s (Mariska Hargitay) latest tormentor, Amaro took a bullet to the liver and knee. Sensing he was going nowhere in New York, Amaro informed Benson he was planning to retire and head to California to be with his family.
Pino tweeted after the finale aired,”Thank u @nbcsvu @WolfFilms cast, writers, directors, guest casts, crew, editors for 4 fantastic seasons. Grateful for all the #SVUDieHards.”
