'Law & Order: SVU' Season 18 News: 'Making A Murderer' Inspired Episode Coming Up; Henry Thomas Guest Stars In Steve Avery Role

"Law & Order: SVU" (Special Victims Unit) continues to be a ratings puller on NBC. On its return for Season 18, it promises not to disappoint its avid viewers, as always The show is planning to deliver a relevant story inspired by the latest obsession among TV fans.

'Law & Order: SVU' Season 18 Does 'Making A Murderer'

"Law & Order: SVU" Season 18 will have a story that is inspired by the popular Netflix documentary series, "Making a Murderer." It will feature Henry Thomas in a role that's patterned after Steve Avery, the main subject of the documentary. The "L&O: SVU" episode will also feature Kelli Williams.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Thomas' character on "Law & Order: SVU" Season 18 is a convicted rapist who goes free after 16 years in prison due to new DNA evidence. However, he becomes embroiled in a new crime, when a victim cries foul over another rape attack.

According to Refinery, it was Fin (Ice T) who investigated the convicted rapist 16 years ago and he will once again have to face the man he sent to prison. Kelli Williams will play the accuser.

Stop. Everything. #SVU Season 18 is underway. https://t.co/9W20Q7yRUl pic.twitter.com/0lT5t0LiBL

— Law and Order: SVU (@nbcsvu) July 19, 2016

'Law & Order: SVU' Has Always Ripped From Headlines

The show always has a penchant for taking inspiration from the headlines in its storylines, thus this upcoming episode on "Law & Order: SVU" Season 18 comes as no surprise. But the news is timely because "Making a Murderer" was just announced for a second season on Netflix. Its documentary directors say that Steve Avery's story is not yet done.

In previous seasons, "Law & Order: SVU" also did an episode that was similar to the high-profile cases featuring the Duggars, Robert Durst and Bill Cosby, per E! Online. "Law & Order: SVU" Season 18 will premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. The show is NBC's longest-running series to date. The series is led by Mariska Hargitay.