The official in-show reason for Peter Stone’s departure was personal. His character began developing romantic feelings for Captain Olivia Benson, aware that a relationship with a colleague could bring both professional and personal complications—something he had experienced before. To avoid such entanglement, Stone made the difficult decision to leave SVU.

Stone’s affection for Benson clashed with his strict ethical code. Despite maintaining professional boundaries, his growing attraction created tension he could not resolve. This internal struggle became a defining part of his storyline, and ultimately, leaving New York offered him a clean break from the conflict.

While the storyline offered a personal explanation, the real decision to write Stone out did not come from Winchester. In March 2020, he publicly addressed his exit, expressing gratitude to the cast and crew while suggesting that the choice was driven by creative direction rather than personal preference. His comments indicated that showrunners and writers made the call—a common practice in long-running procedural dramas, where attorney roles are often rotated to keep the courtroom dynamic fresh.

Peter Stone’s time on SVU was brief, spanning Seasons 19 and 20. His tenure followed the show’s usual pattern of ADA turnover, helping keep storylines fresh and unpredictable.

His exit highlighted the balance between character development and series continuity. Fans admired his no-nonsense approach, famously summed up as, “The facts don’t care about your feelings,” yet the tension between duty and personal emotion ultimately shaped his departure. While Winchester has moved on to other projects, his portrayal left a memorable mark on the series.