In the world of Law & Order: SVU, the tension between Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Assistant District Attorney Rafael Barba (Raúl Esparza) was never more palpable than at the end of Season 23. Their fractured relationship came to a head after Barba defended Richard Wheatley (Dylan McDermott), who was on trial for the murder of Detective Elliot Stabler’s (Christopher Meloni) wife. Their final scene together in that season was a raw and emotional farewell at Forlini’s bar, with the two characters struggling to reconcile their personal and professional conflicts. Benson saw Barba’s actions as a betrayal, while Barba felt she was deflecting her own issues while defending Stabler. Their exchange was a poignant reminder of their deep, complicated bond, ending with a heartfelt acknowledgment of mutual respect and missed connection.
When TV Insider caught up with Esparza during the 25th season celebration, the question of Barba’s return to SVU was on everyone’s mind. Esparza offered a glimmer of hope, saying, “Never say never. You never know. If they come up with a compelling storyline for Barba, I’m sure they’ll reach out.” He expressed satisfaction with the way Barba and Benson’s story concluded, appreciating the emotional complexity of their final scenes.
Reflecting on Barba’s journey, Esparza shared memorable moments from his tenure. He highlighted an episode titled “American Tragedy” from Season 15, which tackled the Trayvon Martin case. The episode was significant for Esparza, who found it moving to portray Barba addressing a sensitive and underrepresented issue. Another poignant memory was filming a late-night courtroom scene in “Rapist Anonymous,” where Kelli Giddish’s emotional performance deeply impressed him.
Esparza attributes the show’s success to the genuine chemistry between him and Hargitay. “We clicked, and you can’t bottle that kind of chemistry,” he said. He admired Hargitay’s dedication and generosity, noting that her willingness to experiment and take risks contributed to the show’s ongoing relevance and excellence.
The dynamic between Barba and Carisi (Peter Scanavino) was another highlight for Esparza. He enjoyed their onscreen clashes and the comedic tension between Barba’s sophisticated arrogance and Carisi’s earnestness. “We were always looking for ways to make Carisi feel bad,” he joked.
Despite his talent, Esparza is adamant that Barba wouldn’t be a singer. “Oh hell no. That’s jumping the shark,” he laughed, though he teased that with enough drinks, Barba might surprise everyone with a ballad. For now, Esparza is saving his voice for other projects, but fans can always hope for another dramatic return from the charismatic ADA.
