Law & Order: SVU Recasts Guest Role After Actor Charged

Timothy Busfield replaced by David Zayas in upcoming episode following child abuse allegations

Feb. 3, 2026 at 8:23pm

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An upcoming episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit that was previously pulled from the schedule has been rescheduled after the show recast the guest role originally set to be played by Timothy Busfield. Busfield was removed from the episode titled 'Corrosive' after being charged with child abuse and criminal sexual contact of a minor in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Actor David Zayas will now take on the role originally intended for Busfield.

Why it matters

The recasting and rescheduling of this SVU episode highlights the show's response to serious allegations against one of its guest stars. It also reflects the broader challenges the entertainment industry faces in addressing accusations of misconduct, especially those involving the abuse of minors.

The details

Busfield was set to play Judge Warren Fels in the episode, which centers on an attempt on a respected judge's life connected to an anonymous video posted to the SVU tip line. After Busfield was charged with inappropriately touching twin 11-year-old boys while filming another project, the network pulled the episode from the schedule. It is now set to air on February 26 with David Zayas in the guest role originally intended for Busfield.

  • The episode 'Corrosive' was originally scheduled to air on January 15, 2026.
  • Busfield was charged on January 9, 2026 by the Albuquerque Police Department.
  • Busfield turned himself in to New Mexico police on January 13, 2026.

The players

Timothy Busfield

An actor who previously appeared on Law & Order: SVU and was set to guest star in an upcoming episode before being charged with child abuse and criminal sexual contact of a minor.

David Zayas

The actor who will now take on the guest role originally intended for Busfield in the rescheduled SVU episode.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

The long-running NBC drama series that is rescheduling and recasting an episode in response to the allegations against one of its guest stars.

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What they’re saying

“The accusations are false and possibly financially motivated by the children's parents.”

— Timothy Busfield

What’s next

The rescheduled episode of Law & Order: SVU featuring David Zayas in the guest role is set to air on February 26, 2026.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the entertainment industry's ongoing challenges in addressing allegations of misconduct, especially those involving the abuse of minors. The recasting and rescheduling of the SVU episode demonstrates the show's efforts to respond responsibly to the serious charges against one of its guest stars.