Which actor played ADA Rafael Barba?

Raúl Esparza played ADA Rafael Barba on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Esparza first appeared as Barba in the Season 14 episode “Twenty-Five Acts,” which aired in 2012.

Barba transferred from the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office to Manhattan’s SVU, where his courtroom style often balanced sharp legal strategy with intense advocacy for victims. The character initially appeared in a recurring capacity before Esparza was promoted to the regular cast in Season 15.

Esparza remained closely associated with the series through Season 19, when Barba left the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. He later returned for guest appearances, including storylines involving former colleagues and Benson. The character’s appearances extend beyond his original regular run, but Esparza remains Barba’s canonical portrayer.

Some viewers confuse Esparza with other prominent SVU cast members, such as Ice-T, Danny Pino, or Ryan Buggle. Those actors played Fin Tutuola, Nick Amaro, and Noah Benson respectively—not Rafael Barba.