What Happened to Dean Winters' Character Brian Cassidy on Law & Order: SVU? (2025)

When reminiscing about the early seasons ofLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit, it's hard to forget the lovable Detective Brian Cassidy, played byDean Winters.

How to Watch

Watch Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Thursdays at 9/8c on NBCand next day on Peacock.

Cassidy's charm was undeniable during Winters' initial season withSVU, though hewas the first detective to ever leave the Manhattan SVU. However, he stole the heart of CaptainOlivia Benson(Mariska Hargitay) after his return toSVUmore than a decade after his initial departure.

RELATED:Olivia Benson's Hair Evolution on Law & Order: SVU

Cassidy may have left the chaos of the squad, butLaw & Orderfans willalways rememberthe passion he brought to each case.

What Happened to Dean Winters' Character Brian Cassidy on Law & Order: SVU? (1)

Detective Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters) appears in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 19 Episode 14. Photo: Michael Parmelee/NBC

When did Brian Cassidy first appear onLaw & Order: SVU?

Cassidy was a member ofLaw & Order: SVU's debut cast, appearing in the pilot episode ("Payback") and throughout Season 1.

It was during this era thatCassidy and Benson had a one-night stand and, while they would later explore aseriousrelationship, she kept her focus on work.He openly wanted more from her, but Benson turned him down because they worked together.

RELATED:All the Law & Order: SVU Detectives Through the Years

Despite being the squad's class clown, Cassidy soon established himself as a dedicated and earnest detective. His lack of experience on the force inspired his pair-up with the seasoned veteran of the squad, DetectiveJohn Munch (Richard Belzer).

What Happened to Dean Winters' Character Brian Cassidy on Law & Order: SVU? (2)

Detective Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters), Captain Donald Cragen (Dann Florek), Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), Detective Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni), Detective Monique Jefferies (Michelle Hurd), and Detective John Munch (Richard Belzer) appear in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 1. Photo: Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank

Why did Dean Winters leaveSVU after playing Brian Cassidy for one season?

Cassidy was valuable in several cases but often struggled to cope with the grueling nature of sex crimes, especially those involving minors.

RELATED:Dann Florek Tears Up Talking About Mariska Hargitay

Despite Cassidy having a hand in several arrests inSVU's first season, former Captain Donald Cragen (Dann Florek) quickly clocked his incompatibility for the role. He then assigned Cassidy a simple task:Gocheck on one of the assault survivors.

After realizing he lacked the stomach to handle the day-to-day testimonies of the victims whose cases he was investigating, Cassidy transferred to NYPD'sNarcotics Division in Season 1, Episode 13 ("Disrobed").

What Happened to Dean Winters' Character Brian Cassidy on Law & Order: SVU? (3)

Detective Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters), Detective John Munch (Richard Belzer), Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), and Marta Stevens (Mili Avital) appear in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 1 Episode 1. Photo: Jessica Burstein/NBC

When did Dean Winters return toSVUas Brian Cassidy?

Winters first reprised his role as Cassidy in the Season 13 finale ("Rhodium Nights").

During his time away from the SVU, Cassidy had soared through the ranks of the NYPD, eventually becoming an undercover detective. While investigating a pimp, Benson and her then-partnerNick Amaro (Danny Pino)crossed paths with Cassidy, who had been working undercover for three years disguised as the pimp's bodyguard. His case became entangled with the SVU's investigation.

Benson learned in the course of their shared investigation that Cassidy had matured tremendously in his time away from the squad, and had become more confident as an investigator.

Cassidy remained part of the show through Season 14 and Season 15, as he and Benson got a second chance at romance.

What Happened to Dean Winters' Character Brian Cassidy on Law & Order: SVU? (4)

Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Detective Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters) appear in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 20 Episode 16. Photo: Peter Kramer/NBC

What happened between Brian Cassidy and Olivia Benson on SVU?

The two detectives became involved in a serious relationship in Season 14, following their Season 1 one-night stand.

In Season 14 Episode 2 ("Above Suspicion"), Cassidy's cover as the pimp's bodyguard was blown and he got shot.

He was seriously wounded and rushed to the hospital while Amaro and Benson cleaned up the mess. When Cassidy awoke in the hospital, Bensonwas there to greethim, telling him she wasn't the same person she was the first time they worked together.

She then kissed him.

RELATED:The Best Law & Order: SVU Episodes Fans Never Forget

Their romance were confirmed in Season 14, Episode 3 ("Undercover Blue"), albeit in less-than-ideal circumstances after Munch and Amaro arrived at Cassidy's apartment to inform him that he had been accusedof a sexual assault.

The accuser was a sex worker with whom Cassidy used to have a consensual relationship during his time undercover. While her colleagues were delivering the news, Benson walked out of Cassidy's bedroom in a nightshirt.

The accusations complicated their romance, but the chargeswere droppedafter it came to light that the woman had made a false accusation in order to sue the NYPD. Still, as a result of the consensual relationship, Cassidy was demoted.

Despite the demotion, he and Benson continued their relationship, dating throughout Season 14 and Season 15.

After Benson was traumatically kidnapped and tortured by the serial killerWilliam Lewis (Pablo Schreiber)in Season 14, it was Cassidy who became her shoulder to cry on.

In Season 15 ofSVU, the couple moved in together.

What Happened to Dean Winters' Character Brian Cassidy on Law & Order: SVU? (5)

Detective Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters) and Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) appear in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 14 Episode 7. Photo: Michael Parmelee/NBC

Why did Brian Cassidy leaveSVUin Season 15?

After Cassidy and Benson because a couple, their compatibility remained in question. She was a meticulous planner, never running into the action withoutthinking ofthe situation from all angles. On the other hand, he was impulsive and short-sighted. Their differences caused tension for the couple at several points during their relationship, especially when the topic of their futures came up.

RELATED:Olivia Benson's Relationship Timeline on Law & Order: SVU

In Season 15, Episode 19 ("Downloaded Child"), Benson ended things between her and Cassidy after concluding that they would always be fundamentally different people. The break-up was amicable, and it was clear she would always hold a special place in his heart.

Dean Winter's Guest Appearances onLaw & Order: SVU

What Happened to Dean Winters' Character Brian Cassidy on Law & Order: SVU? (6)

Detective Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters) appears in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Season 20 Episode 16. Photo: Peter Kramer/NBC

Winters reprised his role as Cassidy in Season 19 and Season 20 ofSVU.

In the Season 19 premiere ("Gone Fishin'"), Cassidy returned as an investigator for the district attorney's office, informing Benson that he was investigating allegations that she was abusing her adopted son, Noah (Ryan Buggle). Though he ultimately cleared her in Episode 2 ("Mood"), she was furious over his role and told him she never wanted to speak to him again.

RELATED:A Look Back at Noah Benson's Story on Law & Order: SVU

In Season 19, Episode 14 ("Chasing Demons"), Cassidy was asked to testify against a child molester whom he'd physically assaulted during the arrest. During his testimony, he threatened to kill the defendant, leading to a mistrial.

After the defendantwas founddead the following day, Cassidy became the prime suspect. During the subsequent investigation, he was cleared, but eventually confessed that his passion on the stand was because he was molested as a child by hisLittle Leaguecoach.

Later in that episode, he and Benson reconciled after he apologized for complicating her custody of Noah.

What was Dean Winters' last episode of SVU as Brian Cassidy?

Cassidy finally got justice for himself in Season 20, Episode 16 ("Facing Demons"), after a suicide led the SVU to Cassidy's abuser.

Upon finding photos of Cassidy as a child in the defendant's home, the squad asked him to testify. Despite having no wish to rehash his childhood trauma in court, he agreed once he learned that no other survivors were able to step forward.

With Benson and the squad's support, Cassidy's agreement to testify led to his abuser's arrest.

It was his last appearance (so far!) on the show.

What Happened to Dean Winters' Character Brian Cassidy on Law & Order: SVU? (7)

Counselor Barry Querns (Reg E Cathey) and Detective Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters) appear in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 14 Episode 7. Photo: Michael Parmelee/NBC

WatchLaw & Order: Special Victims Uniton Thursdays onNBCand the next day onPeacock.

What Happened to Dean Winters' Character Brian Cassidy on Law & Order: SVU? (2025)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Last Updated:

Views: 6578

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Birthday: 1992-08-21

Address: Apt. 237 662 Haag Mills, East Verenaport, MO 57071-5493

Phone: +331850833384

Job: District Real-Estate Architect

Hobby: Skateboarding, Taxidermy, Air sports, Painting, Knife making, Letterboxing, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.