According to Deadline, actor Demore Barnes will be returning to "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" for at least one episode despite his character, Deputy Chief Christian Garland, being written off the show back in September 2021. At the time of his reported dismissal, Barnes expressed dismay by his character's (and, by extension, his) sudden exit from the NBC procedural. "While I know you were happy that I was here ... I also know you're sad and surprised — and I am too," Barnes explained in an Instagram video to his followers at the time of his departure. "I don't totally know why this happened," he added.
From Barnes' debut on "SVU" in Season 21 to his departure after the premiere of Season 23, both Barnes and his character played integral roles on the NBC drama. Not only did Barnes portray the first Black deputy chief in the history of the series, but Garland was also a major fan-favorite who tried to bring change to the force. "Both Garland and I were so very well-loved and embraced by [the fans] from Day 1," Barnes said on Instagram in 2021.
In a March 21 post, the actor posted a picture of himself in character as Chief Garland and wrote: "What? You didn't think there'd be an encore? #svu #christiangarland #notallhereoswearcapes #seeyousoon." According to Deadline, the episode in which Barnes will return airs on Thursday, April 28.
