‘Law & Order: SVU’ Cast Write Emotional Goodbyes After Raúl Esparza Leaves The Show

Olivia Benson is saying goodbye to another member of her crew on “Law & Order: SVU” this week!

SPOILERS AHEAD: 

The “Law & Order: SVU” cast penned sweet farewells on social media this week after Raúl Esparza’s Rafael Barba left the NBC crime series after six seasons playing a beloved member of the District Attorney’s office. Esparza first appeared as Assistant District Attorney Barba on season 14 on a recurring basis and was made a series regular in season 15. 

In Thursday’s episode, he was faced with the dilemma of turning off life support for a brain dead child and he’s later tried for murder and found not guilty. A conflicted Barba decides to leave his job at the DA’s office and not even Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) could convince him to stay. 

The cast and crew unloaded their emotions about Esparza’s exit on Twitter late Thursday…

https://twitter.com/Mariska/status/961438645503840257

@RaulEEsparza Thank you for welcoming me with open arms, for having such integrity and for showing me the ropes.

— Philip Winchester (@philipwinchestr) February 8, 2018

Thanks to @warrenleightTV and @RaulEEsparza for birthing Barba. And thanks to @Noochone for an amazing finale to this chapter in the story. https://t.co/DOqcZHmSBb

— Julie Martin (@JulieMartinNY) February 8, 2018

https://twitter.com/svuceline/status/961473031301488641

I love writing for @RaulEEsparza — no sentence, thought, cadence or scene beyond his ability. For years, my secret challenge was to try to write something he couldn't deliver. I never did. Le deseo toda clase de éxitos en sus esfuerzos.

— Warren Leight (@warrenleightTV) February 8, 2018