Law & Order: SVU‘s Demore Barnes to Return as Garland Later This Season
Demore Barnes is headed back to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
The actor is set to reprise his role as former Deputy Chief Christian Garland in an upcoming episode of the Dick Wolf procedural, Give Me My Remote reports.
Barnes joined the series in Season 21, replacing Peter Gallagher’s William Dodds as Deputy Chief, and was upgraded to series regular in Season 22. (He has credited costar Mariska Hargitay with “spearheading my shift to series regular.”)
The actor departed SVU in the second half of the Season 23 premiere, titled “Never Turn Your Back On Them.” During the hour, Garland quit his job after being ostracized by Chief McGrath for speaking up about police misconduct during a controversial case. McGrath temporarily took over as SVU’s commanding officer following Garland’s resignation.
Barnes previously opened up about his exit from the show in an Instagram message to fans, saying “I don’t totally know why this has happened.”
He added that he was “so very proud to have played the first Black deputy chief in SVU history” and called on fans to amplify diverse storytelling.
“I hope that Wolf Entertainment’s leadership in giving me opportunity to amplify vital voice and story will result in many studios continuing to open doors of opportunity for others to do the same. This must continue,” he urged. “So please… continue to do your part to support change and amplify the voices and stories that injustice, in its many forms, seeks to silence.”
How do you feel about Demore Barnes’ return to Law & Order: SVU? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
In the season 22 finale, we finally started to get to know Garland and I was glad. (saw his home/family life) I was looking forward to that continuing into season 23. And then SVU got rid of him. We never had much of a chance to get to know him. Was hoping this announcement was that he was returning for good. Guess not but it will be good to see him again. Hope to see more of him in the future.
Honestly I would love his return, the new deputy chief is too much political, then the character of Mcgrath is horrible..
No need to bring him back!
Why not? The chief they have now sucks!
Im a law & order lifer all the way back to the OG l&o back with Jerry Orbach so im a l&o pro. They need to to bring him back & drop the bensler crap. Stanley needs years of therapy for PTSD and to take care of Eli.
why not? you racist?
Not everything is about race 🙄 The only one mentioning it is YOU.
So glad he’s back. Couldn’t understand why he was terminated. His character was multi faceted and he carried himself with gravitas and a little mystery.
I agree. I would like to see him back permanently.
Deputy Chief Garland’s storyline presence on SVU never grabbed my attention nor did Barnes’ acting. I didn’t dislike either the character or the actor rather I was just totally ambivalent towards both.
So pleased
By all means please bring him back to SVU.
He was a very strong character and very believable.
Awesome!!!! Yayyyyyy excited!!!!
I really enjoy watching this show, especially when his friend the reverend abused the girls andthe wife. It seemed so real.
Yes, bring him back. Looking forward to his characters return.
Would have been just what the original L&O needed, but that is a sinking ship.
I hope it’s permanent!
I’m happy to see him coming back. Liked his character.
I think this is a great idea. I was very disappointed when they released from his role, particularly after they had really show upgraded his part. We liked him. I’m concerned about the many actor changes on SVU. The ADA role with Carissa has him doubling still as detective. I liked his as detective. And really liked the actor that played Ada/Stone’s son. Too many season to season changes in actors. We love “Olivia”/Hargitay and want to continue to support the show. Please give us opportunity to enjoy the characters. Thanks.
I love this! He was so great I hated when he left.
I really liked Garland and the interaction he had with the SVU team. As soon as we start getting used to a person they are suddenly removed from the show. I saw it coming when he started having health issues. His character was just starting to develope and evolve and then he is out and in comes another person. Bring back Garland and continue to develope his character he fit in with the.
We would like to see him back in svu great actor
awesome! I liked him, and his departure seemed so abrupt and strange.
It’s all well and good that he has returned, but I wonder how he would look on “Organized Crime Bureau”
I am so happy Garland is coming back! I did not like the way he got off the show. I don’t like McGraff’s character! What were you thinking???
i suppose it makes sense…Black detective who speaks up about police misconduct gets replaced by a raging racist. but still, given svu’s penchant for wish fulfillment (how many more bensler teases are we gonna get?!), i’d really hope they would’ve shown us a path forward with Barnes in charge. instead they’ve proven to be another cog in the copaganda wheel.
I am so glad that they’re bringing him back… he played a great part and it was great seeing him lead! I really hope that he stays. There was definitely good working chemistry between Chief Garland and the rest of SUV members! It was also great to get an inside look at his family life something that’s rarely done on procedural tv.
I would love for him to come back as a series regular and was disappointed when he was written out.
Please bring Garland back permanently!! He is a great actor and I really liked his character in L&OSVU!!
I definitely agree with you, I hope keep him on the show for good 👍
I was shocked by his removal, as he was such a strong character. I would really like to see him return on a permanent basis.
I’m so happy for his return. I truly loved his character, and kudos for addressing the issue of police misconduct. I really hope he’s back for good.
omg I am extremely happy about his return. i hope they let him stay permanently. superb in this roll.