It's the news many fans have been waiting for, Raúl is to return to Law and Order: SVU as Rafael Barba. 

He was seen on set last week, with several photos and video clips surfacing on social media but the rumours have now been confirmed by the show in a tweet last night

He will star in the 4th episode of the new season, 'Sightless in a Savage Land', but this time will be on the other side of the courtroom as a defense attorney! 

He takes on a client being prosecuted by now-ADA Carisi (Peter Scanavino), and the ensuing courtroom drama causes serious conflict between Benson’s (Mariska Hargitay) SVU squad and Chief Garland (Demore Barnes).

The episode will air on Thursday, Jan 7 at 9pm ET on NBC

Almost a month after Raúl left his role as ADA Rafael Barba on NBC's Law and Order SVU, it has been announced that he will be returning to the network with a lead role in the drama pilot, Suspicion, from The Path creator Jessica Goldberg, Universal TV and Keshet Studios.

Also starring, Derek Luke, Suspicion (based on the book by Joseph Finder) is described as a Hitchcockian thriller about how far one man will go to save the people he loves. After Danny Goodman (Luke) accepts a handshake loan from his new friend and millionaire neighbor, Tom Canter (Esparza), he gets a visit from the FBI and learns that the decision is one he will regret for the rest of his life. Coerced to work as an informant for the FBI to earn back his freedom, Danny is forced to infiltrate a world of violence and corruption while trying to protect his family.

Esparza’s Tom Carter is the man everyone looks up to. Coming from a humble beginning, he bonds instantly with Danny as the two realize their similar histories.

Goldberg executive produces Suspicion with Keshet’s Rachel Kaplan, Peter Traugott, Avi Nir, Alon Shtruzman and Finder. The studio is Universal TV, where Goldberg is under an overall deal.