[s20e12] Blackmail May 2026

: Portrays the talk show host, Vanessa Carville. Tom Lipinski : Appears as Derek Fanning. Alexandra Silber : Guest stars as Sara Bradley. Critical Reception

: The police coordinate a sting operation to arrest the blackmailer, Dennis di Palma (played by Raúl Esparza), as he accepts a check from Carville. [S20E12] Blackmail

: Plays the blackmailer, Dennis di Palma. Esparza later joined Law & Order: SVU as a series regular, ADA Rafael Barba. : Portrays the talk show host, Vanessa Carville

: Carville admits to DA Jack McCoy that she is being blackmailed for $3 million to keep her workplace affairs with women a secret. Critical Reception : The police coordinate a sting

: Critics noted that while the "ripped from the headlines" premise felt sensationalist and "sleazy" on paper, the performance by S. Epatha Merkerson (Lt. Van Buren) remained a standout.

: Following the arrest, Carville publicly confesses to her affairs on her show, while the defense argues there is a deeper story behind the victim's death. Key Cast & Guest Stars

: Some viewers consider it a weaker entry in an otherwise strong final season of the original run, though it is often cited by fans for Raúl Esparza's "bad guy" performance before his hero turn on SVU . "Law & Order" Blackmail (TV Episode 2010) - IMDb