Law & Order: SVU showrunner Michele Fazekas revealed that she had planned two additional appearances for Det. Elliot Stabler in Season 27 but could not secure Chris Meloni's availability. The character appeared only in the season premiere. Meloni's schedule with another series prevented further returns.
Fazekas said she intended to include Stabler in a crossover episode that aired in January. Olivia Benson made a call to her former partner in that episode, but Meloni was unavailable for the scene. She also considered bringing the character into the season finale but ultimately featured a scene with Velasco and Benson instead, which she said she liked.