Actor Corey Cott discusses his role as Det. Jake Griffin in the 27th season of Law & Order: SVU, highlighting the character's uphill battle to gain trust from Capt. Olivia Benson and the show's fans. In an upcoming episode, Griff's determination to rescue a young boy in danger may sway opinions about his commitment to victims. Cott shares insights into Griff's backstory and the squad's internal tensions.
Corey Cott, who plays Det. Jake Griffin on Law & Order: SVU, became a series regular for season 27. Griffin, a former Manhattan South robbery cop, joined the Special Victims Unit at the season's start, immediately raising suspicions among Capt. Olivia Benson and her team. Viewers and characters alike question whether he is there to genuinely assist sexual assault victims or serve as a spy for Chief of Detectives Kathryn Tynan.
More than halfway through the season, Griff's allegiance remains unclear, even to himself, as he balances duties to Benson and Tynan. Cott describes the role as an 'uphill battle,' noting the tension in every interaction. 'Underneath every moment, there's this tension,' he tells TVLine. The squad room dynamics add drama beyond weekly cases, with actors enjoying the conflict. Bruno questions if Griff is spying, while Benson wonders about his true intentions.
In tonight's episode on NBC at 9/8c, a family's baby monitor detects a rogue frequency signaling danger to a young boy. Griff persists in the search, making the case personal. 'After this episode, this case, it's so personal to Griff that hopefully, the audience will see he really cares about justice for these victims,' Cott previews.
Griff's naivety stems from his prior work chasing petty thieves in Midtown, unprepared for SVU's trauma. Cott reveals Griff seeks affirmation from his late father, channeling it toward Tynan. Fans' fervor for Benson leads to social media backlash against Griff, which Cott views positively for creating conflict.
This marks Cott's second SVU role; he previously played perp Ellis Griffin in season 18, a coincidence not intentionally linked. His past credits include Filthy Rich, The Good Fight, The Equalizer, Chicago Med, and Z: The Beginning of Everything, plus Broadway in Newsies and The Heart of Rock and Roll.