https://deadline.com/2021/09/jamie-gray-hyder-demore-barnes-exiting-law-order-svu-season-23-1234826985/

Their characters will say goodbye in the Season 23 premiere. Hyder and Barnes both joined SVU in Season 21 in recurring roles and were promoted to series regulars for Season 22.

Demore Barnes Reacts to "Law & Order: SVU" Exit: “I Don’t Totally Know Why This Happened”
by Alexandra Del Rosario
September 17, 2021


"Law & Order: SVU’s" Demore Barnes reacted to news of his upcoming exit from the long-running NBC series, sharing Friday that he’s both proud of his work but in the dark about the shift in casting.

Barnes and co-star Jamie Gray Hyder, who play Deputy Chief Christian Garland and Officer Kat Tamin, respectively, are departing "SVU" ahead of its Season 23 premiere next Thursday. Sources tell Deadline that the actors’ exits will be revealed when the series returns.




“While I know you were happy that I was here, and that I’m happy that I was here, I also know you’re sad and surprised and I am too,” Barnes admitted in an Instagram post addressed to his fans.

“I don’t totally know why this happened.”




The actor thanked the "Law & Order: SVU" cast and crew and praised NBC for serving as a launchpad to highlight, create and amplify the stories of survivors. He specifically thanked Wolf Entertainment leadership for bringing him into the world of SVU in the first place and called for more opportunities to showcase marginalized voices.

“I hope that Wolf Entertainment’s leadership, in giving me opportunity amplify vital voice and story, will result in many studios continuing to open doors of opportunities for others to do the same,” he added. “This must continue.”




Barnes concluded his Instagram post:

“Chief garland and I would not have it any other way. I love you all and thank you for loving me back. I’ll see you soon.”

https://deadline.com/2021/09/demore-barnes-reacts-law-order-svu-exit-1234838730/