"Law and Order Special Victims Unit" season 17 returns in January, and the premiere episode will be about a sensitive topic involving teenagers according to Christian Today.

The next episode is reportedly to be directed by Mariska Hargitay. Hargitay also plays Lt. Olivia Benson. After sending a kidnapper named Lewis Hoda (Tom Sizemore) to prison, her next task is to seek for the truth behind the alleged date rape in highschool.

Showrunner Warren Leight announced that the actress will direct one of the episodes in season 17. Back in August, he posted a photo on tweeter showing Hargitay behind the camera. The caption reads:

"Of course Mariska will direct again this year. After 17 seasons, she's in a class of her own."

According to Zap2it, Mariska has already directed two episodes in the past, season 15's "Criminal Stories" and season 16's "Padre Sandunguero."

Meanwhile, Hargitay gave a little bit of intel on what the fans should expect in the coming few episodes. She said in her social media post that the next episodes will feature the comeback of some villains who she had an encounter with in the past. Hoda made a comeback just before the winter break. It seems like more bad guys from Benson's past will comeback and seek revenge on her.

NBC has been sending out limited information about the coming episodes. The fans could get more info though as we get closer to their return. Law and Order Special Victims Unit returns Wednesday, January 6, 2016 on NBC.