Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive show news, updates, and more!
A Look Back at Rollins and Carisi's Heartwarming SVU Love Story
Because we love a drama-free romance.
While there are plenty of opportunities for romance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, the series tends to keep the detectives focused on work. But occasionally, the perfect relationship is forged from the chaos, like fan-favorite couple Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) and Sonny Carisi (Peter Scanavino).
Now that Rollins and Carisi have officially tied the knot on Law & Order: SVU, Rollisi is stronger than ever. But as many SVU fans are well aware, the two characters weren't always romantic; they began as partners and slowly escalated from there. Let's look back at Rollins and Carisi's swoon-worthy SVU love story!
Amanda Rollins meets Sonny Carisi
Rollins and Carisi first crossed paths when the SVU received a recruit back in Season 16, Dominick "Sonny" Carisi. Carisi came to the SVU after Sergeant Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) put in a request for an "experienced, empathetic detective" as a replacement for former detective Nick Amaro (Danny Pino). Carisi and Rollins were quickly paired up and became friends, despite their tendency to argue about cases. Carisi is definitely empathetic, but he can also be argumentative, so he provided a fun balance to Rollins' candor.
Rollins and Carisi become more than platonic partners
Carisi and Rollins' friendship became even more intense with the time they spent together. He often helped Rollins with parental errands and, get this, was even named godfather to Rollins' daughter.
Carisi soon received a promotion to become the assistant district attorney, forcing him to leave the SVU. The announcement seemed like great news for all parties, but there was one detective who seemed jilted by it: Rollins.
Rollins and Carisi's first kiss
The moment all SVU fans were waiting for: the first Rollisi kiss! In the Season 22 finale, "Wolves in Sheep's Clothing," Rollins and Carisi finally came clean about their mutual attraction for each other at the almost-wedding between Fin (Ice T) and his fiancé, Phoebe. Carisi was tasked with preparing a speech for the occasion but was left with no one to hear it when the wedding got called off. Naturally, Rollins asked Carisi to hear the speech. A teary-eyed Rollins responded to Carisi's words by kissing him for the first time.
Rollins and Carisi begin secretly dating
After the Season 22 finale, Rollins and Carisi finally began exploring a relationship in private. After nine months together, Carisi expressed his discontent about their arrangement; he doesn't want to be just "Uncle Sonny forever" to her family. Likewise, Rollins was frustrated that she had never met Carisi's family, placing the pair in a romantic stalemate. The attraction between the two was undeniable, which meant there was only one thing to do.
Rollins and Carisi become official
Carisi learned that their relationship wouldn't jeopardize their jobs if they both disclosed their status to their respective superiors. Carisi got real with Rollins about where their relationship was going. "I don’t want to push you someplace you don’t want to go, but what are we doing here?" Carisi asked her. "Are we going to try to make this work or not?”
By the end of Season 23, Episode 13, Rollins and Carisi became official after letting Benson in on their little secret. The couple then agreed to head home and tell Rollins' kids about who Sonny is to her. Just a few episodes later, Carisi introduced Rollins to his family, and by the end of the 23rd season, Rollisi had shared their first "I love you."
Rollins and Carisi get married
SVU fans rejoiced in the midseason finale when Carisi and Rollins surprised their colleagues with a courthouse ceremony. Rollins told them, "Carisi and I were talking, and we realized that marriage is a lot like a crime. We have a motive, opportunity..." All Carisi and Rollins needed were witnesses, and they didn't want to get married without their SVU buddies there.
Rollins also revealed to Benson and her longtime colleagues that she accepted a full-time teaching position at Fordham. After 12 years of putting criminals behind bars, Rollins bid farewell to the SVU as a married woman and soon-to-be professor to future crime-fighters.
Rollins and Carisi have a baby on the way!
Rollins makes an exciting return in Season 3, Episode 21 of Organized Crime ("Shadowërk"). OCCB's Detective Stabler (Christopher Meloni) recruits the former SVU detective after visiting her at Fordham, where he learns that she is pregnant. Carisi accidentally spilled the beans in SVU's Season 24, Episode 21 ("Bad Things"), with Benson rejoicing and congratulating the ADA for the exciting update.
