•• Video Promotional and advance photos for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, “Maternal Instincts”. Virginia Madsen guest stars and it will air on Wednesday, October 21 at 9PM ET on NBC.

Rollins’ (Kelli Giddish) mother Beth Anne Rollins (Madsen) throws her a baby shower while the SVU reports to a four-star hotel where a famous violinist was raped by her colleague, Anton Krasnikov (guest star Zach McGowan). With no memory of the crime, Anton claims a hired escort drugged and robbed him, and evidence leads to the shocking return of Rollins’ fugitive sister Kim (guest star Lindsay Pulsipher). Meanwhile, Sgt. Mike Dodds (guest star Andy Karl) arrives for his first day at SVU. Also starring Mariska Hargitay (Lt. Olivia Benson), Ice T (Det. Odafin Tutuola) and Peter Scanavino (Det. Sonny Carisi). Also guest-starring Wass Stevens (Slice), Peter Gallagher (Deputy Chief Dodds) and Elizabeth A. Davis (Alessandra Bay).

•• Virginia Madsen will appear in the sixth episode of season 17. Rollins’ (Kelli Giddish) family is coming to town this season on Law & Order: SVU. The NBC drama has tapped Virginia Madsen to play her mother, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The Sideways actress will be joined by True Blood alum Lindsay Pulsipher, who returns as Rollins’ troublesome sister, Kim.

Virginia Madsen will play Beth Anne Rollins, whom showrunner Warren Leight describes as a “very protective” matriarch. “In theory, Amanda Rollins is her successful daughter. [She’s] college-educated, a detective, moved to New York, so of course the mother likes the daughter who has a warrant out for her arrest, has been involved with very sketchy men and has run her life into the ground,” Leight tells THR. “Beth Anne Rollins thinks that daughter can’t make mistake and Amanda has turned her back on the family.”

Virginia Madsen and Pulsipher will both appear in the sixth episode of season 17, which coincidentally also marks Leight’s 100th episode since taking over as showrunner.. Virginia Madsen’s other credits include Monk, Hell on Wheels and Witches of East End. She is repped by UTA and Untitled Entertainment. Law & Order: SVU returns on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 9 p.m. on NBC.

•• Thank you for those who have already sent me so many beautiful birthday wishes. It’s strange to have your birthday on 9-11. I always loved having a party and celebrating my birthday but that all changed in 2001. My little boy asked why and how and all the questions so many children asked on that day. I remember telling him that more people helped and more people prayed on that day than ever before in history. The good was far more powerful than hate could ever be.

The next year, my little Jack was starting 2nd. grade. He wanted me to celebrate my birthday cause I’d missed it the year before and I told him it wasn’t really a day to have fun for my own sake. When he came home from school, he had a backpack full of birthday greetings made by all the kids in his class for “Jacks Mom”. He said “Mama, that was only one day. Today is your birthday and it should be happy. I love you.” I read each card from these little children and wept. Their innocent love touched my heart and I felt it was ok to have a birthday, honor my Mother and Father and blow out the candles.

I will always honor this day and what happened to all of us all over the world because we changed. But this many years later, even when I feel somewhat frivolous, I will always be grateful for my family who’ve taught me and loved me so well and to my beautiful son who continues to remind me to celebrate my birthday. Today I remember.

Here’s to the best year ever. I’m pretty sure it will be a year full of Joy!

V mad