- Peter Scanavino remembers his first line as Sonny Carisi and the nerves of joining SVU’s regular cast.
- The actor laughed about Carisi’s retro mustache, calling it “awesome” before it was removed in later seasons.
- A 2022 behind-the-scenes YouTube clip captures Scanavino reflecting on his Law & Order roles (link below).
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit returns Jan. 8 on NBC and next day on Peacock.
H2: Scanavino recalls his first day as Sonny Carisi
Peter Scanavino, who plays Dominick “Sonny” Carisi on Law & Order: SVU, recently looked back on his first moments as a regular cast member. He told a behind-the-scenes crew that he still remembers his debut line: “They shot at us right outside of the station, so they want us to know they’re crazy.”
Scanavino said he was nervous that day and pumped extra energy into the character — paying attention to how a cop would walk and delivering lines with a heightened intensity to make a strong impression.
H3: The mustache that stole the scene
What fans most enjoyed hearing was Scanavino’s reaction to Carisi’s early-season mustache. The facial hair was a notable part of Carisi’s first appearance and left an impression on the actor and viewers alike.
“The mustache — yeah, that was awesome,” Scanavino said, laughing. He admitted surprise that the show allowed the look and confirmed the production later decided to drop it. The brief mustache moment now lives on in fan memory and early episode photos.
H4: Watch the behind-the-scenes clip
Scanavino’s comments come from a 2022 behind-the-scenes video featuring Law & Order cast members discussing their roles across the franchise. The clip shows him reflecting on the different characters he’s played across Law & Order, Criminal Intent, Trial by Jury and SVU, and includes his mustache anecdote.
Embedded clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XshDrOos3p8
H5: What this means for fans
The anecdote is a light, humanizing moment amid discussions about the show’s long run and character development. It underscores how small choices — like a brief facial hair decision — can become memorable beats in a long-running series.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit returns Thursday, January 8 at 9/8c on NBC and streams next day on Peacock. Fans who want a quick nostalgia hit can revisit Carisi’s early episodes and the behind-the-scenes video to see the mustache-era look and hear Scanavino’s first-hand recollection.
Peter Scanavino’s memory of his first line and his good-humored take on Carisi’s mustache offer a friendly backstage glimpse at how actors shape characters and how wardrobe choices can echo in viewers’ minds long after a look has been retired.
Image Referance: https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/peter-scanavino-reaction-carisi-mustache-law-order-svu
