Sean Patrick Thomas plays a father fighting to reunite with his daughter on SVU's 'Hubris'

Sean Patrick Thomas guest-starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 27 in the episode "Hubris," which aired on January 29, playing Nate Williams, a father desperate to reunite with his teenage daughter. The episode opens with Benson meeting 15-year-old Riley Williams at the hospital after she was forced into prostitution by abusive foster parents.

Riley flees the hospital to her biological father’s home, and Benson learns Nate has been frantic over his daughter’s condition. Benson discovers Riley and Nate were previously separated after Riley was reported to CPS when she arrived at the hospital with a broken arm. The Bronx family courts cited an earlier incident in which Nate waited too long to bring Riley in as a baby, creating a pattern that led to the child’s removal.

Detective Terry Bruno suggested the courts may have profiled Nate for being a low-income Black single father. As Benson reopens the case she clashes with pediatric abuse specialist Dr. Bethany Allen and digs into Allen’s record. Benson uncovers that Allen had withheld a test showing a congenital blood disorder that could explain a brain bleed, and had a history of courtroom testimony that harmed single parents.

Cornered on the stand, Allen lied and agreed to revoke her medical license, clearing the way for Riley’s return. The episode ends with Benson organizing Riley’s secure return home and watching the emotional reunion with Nate.

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