'Walking Dead' Actor Chad Coleman To Guest Star On 'Law & Order: SVU'; Actor To Be Featured In NFL Domestic Violence Episode

“Law & Order” is often said to rip its storylines right out of the headlines, but a coming episode of “Law & Order: SVU” is seizing on a much bigger one than usual. The NBC drama will tackle the NFL domestic violence issue in an episode of the current Season 16, and it’s bringing in some big guest stars to do it – Chad Coleman of “The Walking Dead” and Meagan Good of “Think Like a Man.”

The issue of domestic violence’s disproportionate prevalence in the NFL has been in the headlines since a video showing Baltimore running back Ray Rice hitting his then-fiancé Janay Palmer was leaked. The "Law & Order: SVU" episode will feature a plot very similar to theirs.

According to TV Guide, the episode will feature Coleman as a former football star turned television personality who is accused of assaulting his girlfriend, played by Good. Things get complicated when, despite clear-cut video evidence, the couple tries to avoid charges and keep the story secret (not unlike the real Ray Rice story). The episode will be titled “Spousal Privileges" and will air Nov. 19.

"Domestic violence, with a push from Mariska Hargitay's NO MORE campaign (www.nomore.org), has recently sparked a long-needed national dialogue," SVU showrunner Warren Leight said in a public statement about the episode. "'Spousal Privileges' explores the personal and legal complexities of this intractable problem. We are thrilled that Chad and Meagan are joining us to take on this challenging episode."

Hargitay is the longtime star of “Law & Order: SVU” and has been active in the fight against domestic violence.

Fans will have to wait until Nov. 19 for the NFL-centric episode, but “Law & Order: SVU” will be back Wednesday with episode 5 of season 16. In the new episode, a college student becomes a pornography star and is then assaulted on campus. “Law & Order: SVU” airs on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EDT on NBC.

What do you think about “Law & Order” going after the NFL? Tweet your thoughts to @Ja9GarofaloTV.