What happened to Mike Dodds on Law & Order: SVU?

Sgt. Mike Dodds was tragically killed in the line of duty during the Season 17 finale titled "Heartfelt Passages." He was the second in command of the Manhattan SVU once Benson was promoted to Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Sgt.

Mike Dodds (Andy Karl) appear in a scene from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Season 17 Episode 22. Photo: Michael Parmelee/NBCDodds was first introduced in Season 17's "Maternal Instincts" after he was transferred to Benson's SVU by his father, Deputy Chief William Dodds. Dodds was empathetic and diligent, often using his personal experiences to coax confessions from suspects. Dodds quickly became a cherished squad member, helping in the arrest of several chill-inducing criminals throughout Season 17.

Dodds was killed during his last day at the Manhattan Precinct after a corrupt prison guard and serial rapist took him and another victim hostage. Benson did her best to talk down the assailant, but Dodds was shot amid the chaos. He initially showed signs of recovering, but after suffering from a massive stroke, he was left brain-dead and was taken off life support, leaving his SVU colleagues heartbroken.

Benson was forever affected by the death and has since taken hostage situations more seriously. Dodd's murder was the first-ever death of an SVU squad member and one of the most heart-wrenching losses of the entire series.

What is Andy Karl doing now?

Karl is a Tony-nominated Broadway and West End actor that has starred in dozens of must-see theatrical productions since his time on Law & Order: SVU.

Sgt. Mike Dodds (Andy Karl) appears in a scene from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Season 17 Episode 7. Photo: Michael Parmelee/NBCKarl currently stars in the hit West End musical Groundhog Day as Phil Connors. After exiting SVU in 2016, the actors continued to flaunt his theatrical talent, taking the stage in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Into the Woods, and Pretty Woman: The Musical to name just a few of his credits. Karl also appeared in the legal drama The Good Fight.