Mariska Hargitay and “Law & Order” Cast Unite in Trailer Shedding 'Light' on 'Crimes That Thrive in Darkness' — Watch! (Exclusive)

'Law & Order' and 'Law & Order: SVU' return to NBC for their 24th and 26th seasons, respectively, on Oct. 3

Law & Order Thursdays are back!

PEOPLE can exclusively premiere the First Look trailer for the all-new seasons of Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU, which sees the casts of both shows unite to discuss the weight of the work and the importance of the storytelling that they do on television.

The trailer opens with a montage of clips from the two shows, including one of series star Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson greeting a young woman in her precinct.

"Hi, I'm Captain Benson. Can I help you?" she says in a tease of what's to come in season 26 of the long-running NBC series.

Related: How Law & Order: SVU's Mariska Hargitay Helped a Real-Life Prosecutor Solve Thousands of Sex Crimes

"Why do you think that our shows resonate with audiences?" Hargitay then asks Tony Goldwyn, who joined the cast of L&O last season as DA Nicholas Baxter after Sam Waterston's departure.

"We both work on shows that are seeing our criminal justice systems at work," says Goldwyn in response to Hargitay's query.

Ice-T, who plays Benson's second-in-command Fin Tutuola, echoes the sentiment.

"I thought I was just on a regular cop show, and then it started to sink in," he says in conversation with Peter Scanavino (ADA Sonny Carisi). "It's a special show."

Hargitay has long spoken about her deep connection with fans of the franchise, and as SVU gears up to kick off its 26th season, there is no exception.

"I've had the privilege of connecting on such a personal level," she says. "Having fans come up and say thank you for telling their story."

The trailer also weaves in clips from the new seasons of both shows as well, including a moment where Hargitay's Olivia Benson looks at a survivor and says — as only Benson can — "You're gonna go in there and you're gonna tell him your truth. You're gonna take your life back."

Related: Ice-T Says SVU Cast Told Him Fin Was Getting Shot Before He Finished Reading Finale Script: 'What!' (Exclusive)

Mehcad Brooks (Det. Jalen Shaw) makes a perfect point on why the series perhaps resonates with so many people.

"We are doing something that's more than just entertaining," he says while talking to Reid Scott. "We bring hope into people's lives."

The trailer also offers a look at Maura Tierney in her new role as Lt. Jessica Brady, the squad's new leader in the wake of the departure of Lt. Kate Dixon (Camryn Manheim) at the end of the previous season, and Scott, who plays Det. Vincent Riley, adds that he loves how "this show can stand out as a real conversation starter."

Tierney isn't the only new addition to the cast, either. Juliana Aidén Martinez, who will join Benson's team on SVU as Det. Kate Silva, says that being "on a show where we get to invest in women's stories, I think is investing in progress."

Related: Tony Goldwyn Hopes Scandal Costar Kerry Washington Offers 'Tips' on Playing a Lawyer on Law & Order (Exclusive)

Odelya Halevi — L&O's fearless ADA Samantha Maroun — speaks to how the series made her feel more confident.

"I grew up watching the show," she says, "and it really empowered me."

"It's a lot of responsibility. You have to take it seriously," adds Scanavino. "It is something that is important and applies to the world."

A voiceover from Hargitay concludes the trailer, as Olivia Benson, very aptly, stands in a ray of sunshine.

"I think the show has shed a beautiful light because these crimes thrive in darkness," she says. "It's the light that heals it."

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Law & Order season 24 premieres Thursday, Oct. 3 on NBC at 8 p.m. ET/PT, followed by Law & Order: SVU at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

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