NBC has decided not to air an upcoming episode of Law & Order: SVU that includes a guest appearance by Timothy Busfield, following charges against him. The network confirmed the episode's shelving, opting instead to broadcast a different installment. The move comes amid serious allegations from Busfield's time on another series.
NBC has pulled an episode of its long-running procedural Law & Order: SVU, set to feature actor and director Timothy Busfield in a guest role as a judge. Titled "Corrosive," the episode was originally scheduled for broadcast on January 15. In its place, the network will air the SVU installment planned for January 22.
Busfield, known for previous involvement with the series—he guest-starred in 2011 and directed two episodes in 2019—faces an arrest warrant in New Mexico on charges of sexual abuse involving a minor. The claims originate from his directorial work on the Fox drama The Cleaning Lady. According to reports, one of a pair of twin boys who worked on the show alleges that Busfield touched his private areas on set when the child was seven years old, and again at age eight.
Warner Bros. Television, the producer of The Cleaning Lady, launched an internal investigation into Busfield's on-set behavior toward the boys in 2025, prompted by an anonymous tip about a separate incident. The studio emphasized its commitment to safety in a statement: "The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors on our productions. We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and have systems in place to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and when needed, take appropriate action. We are aware of the current charges against Mr. Busfield and have been and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement."
This development highlights ongoing scrutiny in the entertainment industry regarding misconduct allegations, particularly those involving minors on production sets. NBC's decision to shelve the episode reflects a cautious approach amid the unfolding legal situation.
