'Law and Order: SVU' Season 18 release date, plot & cast news: To have a cameo appearance from Joe Biden

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will be making a cameo appearance in the 18th season of "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit."

The VP will reportedly be doing a cameo because he is hoping that it will raise awareness of his advocacy against sexual violence against women. Biden will be playing himself in the show, and he will appear in a press conference scene as he praises Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) for her efforts in solving cases, especially those involving rape.

The episode that will have Biden's cameo will tackle the issue of unsolved rape cases in the United States. Hargitay herself is also an advocate for the cause, as she attended the United States of Women Summit back in June. During the event, she talks about the practice of testing rape kits and how they can be used as a tool for ending sexual violence.

Speaking of violence against women, "Law and Order: SVU" will also have an episode based on the Netflix hit documentary series "Making a Murderer." The show focuses on a man named Steven Avery who was released from prison where he spent 18 years after being wrongfully accused of raping a woman,

The series' Steven Avery-type character will be played by "E.T.'s" Henry Thomas. His character will have spent 16 years in prison before his release, and he will be accused of raping a woman named Melanie, played by "The Practice's" Kelli Williams.

There are also rumors that the 18th season will focus more on the romance that could be blooming between Benson and Captain Ed Trucker (Robert John Burke). Though there have been no hints of romance between the two ever since the show has started, fans of the show have been pairing Benson and Trucker for a long while. Showrunners could possibly give the fans what they want by having the two take things to a whole new level.

"Law and Order: SVU's" 18th season will premiere on Sept. 21 on NBC.