LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT’s Jamie Gray Hyder on Why She’s Marching Against Police Brutality

In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, as protests in support of Black Lives Matter and against systemic police brutality have swept the world, new LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT star Jamie Gray Hyder has reflected on having to grapple with the state of the world while portraying a cop on television.

“Yes, it is a weird time to be playing a cop on television, especially as I march alongside the [thousands] in NYC protesting police brutality,” she said in a lengthy statement on social media. “I believe the officers we represent on our show are the ones you want to show up in your time of need, empathetic and kind, but sadly fictional. Countless survivors of sexual assault have approached me in public and expressed how they wished we were the officers handling their real cases. I do believe there are police like our characters who are good people with good intentions, but that isn’t enough when all police are part of an inherently discriminate system.”

“I believe our show strives to positively represent the real SVU officers doing good in the NYPD, but I don’t think we’ve shied away from discussing the shortcomings of the criminal justice and law enforcement systems, and the lack of caring for minority and impoverished victims,” she continued. “I believe Kat represents a new generation that isn’t afraid to ruffle some feathers and speak up against injustice and bureaucracy on behalf of underserved populations. I, Jamie, strive to use my platform to the same end, and I stand as an ally with the women and men of our Black community, today and every day. If she could, I think Kat would be marching right alongside me, but that be would some meta-ass shit.”

Hyder joined the series in the milestone season 21 premiere—the show officially became the longest-running primetime drama during the 2019-2020 season—as Officer Katriona “Kat” Tamin and was promoted to a series regular a few episodes in. The actress has also been vocal on social media supporting Black Lives Matter and the ongoing protests.

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