Detective Fin Tutuola's (Ice T) mettle will be tested in a complex case the squad will be handling in the upcoming season of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Fans of the long-running NBC series have been patiently waiting for updates regarding the new installment's storylines. Recently, it has been announced that the show has tapped "E.T." star Henry Thomas to portray the role of a convicted rapist.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Thomas' character is based on the story of Steven Avery, the criminal in the docuseries "Making a Murderer." In the Netflix show, Avery spent 18 years in jail for attempted murder and rape. Because of new evidence supporting his innocence surfacing, he was released. A couple of years after, he was once again arrested and convicted for the murder of a photographer.

In "SVU," Thomas' character has reportedly been in prison for 16 years when "newly tested DNA" was presented in court. He will eventually be exonerated. Not long after, the man will return behind bars for a new crime. A woman named Melanie (to be portrayed by actress Kelli Williams) will accuse him of raping her. Fin, who was the man's arresting officer many years ago, will once again take the lead in the investigation. He will have the full backing of Lt. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and the SVU on the case. If the suspect is indeed a serial rapist, he needs to be locked up for good.

Meanwhile, season 18 will see a new showrunner. Rick Eid will replace Warren Leight, who stepped down from the position for his new project with Sony Television. Leight previously said in an interview that he felt it was time to leave since the show is in safe hands. He said that Eid would do a great job, especially with the support of the best crew.

"New blood is good five years in. I'm not going to say, 'Oh, the show needs me to hang around for 10 years.'... I'm sure the writing team and the crew are tired of hearing me pontificate about the do's and don'ts's of the show. They've internalized everything that I can possibly leave them with. They're ready," Leight said.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" season 18 will premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. EST on NBC.