watch Jalen Brunson on Law & Order: SVU — Knicks fans who want to watch Jalen Brunson on Law & Order: SVU will see a different side of the basketball star tonight. Brunson, who helped lead New York to an NBA championship, trades the hardwood for a detective’s badge in the episode titled “Forsaken,” airing at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.
In the fifth episode of Season 28, Brunson plays Detective Jay Madison and shares scenes with Mariska Hargitay, who has played Olivia Benson for decades. The two are longtime friends; they met in 2024, and Brunson has said in interviews that he has followed the show for years. Their connection has since included public appearances together, such as riding on Brunson’s Knicks parade float and having dinner.
What to Expect From Brunson's Guest Spot
NBC describes the episode’s plot as centering on a wedding reception where a guest is attacked. As Benson and her squad investigate, they uncover a secret that changes the direction of the case. Meanwhile, Carisi’s efforts to pursue justice run into obstacles when witnesses decline to cooperate.
For Brunson, the appearance adds another primetime credit. He previously hosted the Season 52 premiere of Saturday Night Live, and now he returns to NBC’s schedule in a scripted role.
Ways to Watch Without a Cable Subscription
Viewers without cable can still catch the episode through several streaming services that carry NBC. Most offer free trials, giving new subscribers a way to watch at no immediate cost. Below are the main options and their current pricing as listed.
- DirecTV — Plans with NBC start at $39.99 per month, and a five-day free trial is available. The service includes up to 185+ channels.
- Fubo — Access to NBC and other live channels starts at $64.99 per month after a free trial. It offers up to 300+ channels.
- Sling TV — NBC is available through the Select, Blue, and Orange + Blue plans. Subscriptions start at $19.99 per month, with up to 46 channels depending on the plan.
- Hulu + Live TV — The ad-supported plan begins at $99.99 per month following a three-day free trial. It includes 95+ channels as well as access to Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN.
- Peacock — NBC’s streaming service carries Law & Order: SVU. Plans start at $8.99 per month; the ad-free Premium Plus option is $12.99 per month.
For those who already have a traditional TV package or an antenna, NBC is also available over the air in many markets. But for cord-cutters, the free trials from DirecTV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV present the most direct way to watch tonight’s episode without paying upfront.
A Friend in the Squad Room
Brunson’s pairing with Hargitay is the centerpiece of his guest appearance. Hargitay has been among the Knicks’ celebrity supporters during the team’s championship run, and the two have developed a visible friendship away from the set. Their on-screen dynamic will be new for viewers, but the off-screen rapport is well established.
The episode airs Thursday, Nov. 5, at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. Whether you tune in through a free trial or a Peacock subscription, the chance to see Brunson trade baskets for interrogations is a one-night event.
