I thought this already happened, months ago, but I guess this is new. According to an exclusive report from TV Line, Christopher Meloni will not be returning to Law & Order: SVU next year. I’m pretty sure he already said that he didn’t really want to do another season, but now it’s all official.
Chris Meloni will not be reporting back for duty when Law & Order: Special Victims Unit launches its 13th season this fall, TVLine has learned exclusively.
Protracted talks between the actor — who has played Detective Stabler since the NBC crime drama’s 1999 debut — and studio NBC Universal broke down on Tuesday, says a source. Franchise creator Dick Wolf is said to already be searching for a big name to bring in opposite the series’ female lead, Mariska Hargitay.
Hargitay’s own deal to return for Season 13 remains unaffected.
Just last week, new NBC boss Robert Greenblatt told TVLine he felt the network was in “pretty great shape” as far as Meloni’s prospective deal goes, though he did allow for the possibility of SVU one day moving forward minus its two original leads. In fact, there was very recently talk that Jennifer Love Hewitt (Ghost Whisperer) might join the series midway through the coming season to replace Hargitay.
“Jennifer Love is somebody we’ve been circling,” Greenblatt told us, “but I don’t know that that is going to happen at all.”
An NBC spokesperson had no comment for this story.
[From TV Line]
Ugh, the Jennifer Love Hewitt rumors just kill me. It’s being reported far and wide that whenever Mariska retires, JLH will come in to replace her. I mean, I no longer watch the new episodes because the show jumped the shark with that HIDEOUS season which featured Christina Lahti and Sharon Stone (it was awful). But I still care about the L&O franchise, and the exit of Meloni and the possible entrance of Love down the line makes me think that they just need to shoot this series in the head. No more. They’ve caught all of the rapists and pedophiles in NYC. DONE.
Photos courtesy of Fame.
ITA, Kaiser. There is no L&O:SVU withouth Benson & Stabler. If they are going to replace Mariska with JLH (ugh), they should replace Chris Meloni with PeeWee Herman and be done with it already.
My face has all kinds of sads right now.
For the love of all that is holy, please don’t “Criminal Intent” this show. PLEASE! That disastrous last season of CI just showed how much we love our Goren & Eames. Big names didn’t help much, either, did they? Because look who’s back for the final season…
Though it pains me to say this (SVU is my fave – love Ice-T and everyone else in it!), end it instead. Don’t go out on a low note.
You are so absolutely correct about the shark-jumping with the sharon stone….I feel like the writers have given up.
THAT SAID: my beloved hot stuff Christopher Meloni sure as hell better find a new job, asap or I’ll have to start over from season 1 on netflix to keep myself from having Hot Bald Guy withdrawal.
It’s over…at least let it die with dignity (JLH? COME ON!)
Nnnnnnoooooooooo!!!
I’ve had the biggest crush on Chris Meloni since day friggin one. He’s so hot to me despite his massive forehead and angry eyebrows. He was my favorite part of Wet Hot American Summer, and SVU marathons got me through many a boring Sunday in college. He and his fantastic ass will be sorely missed. Here’s to you, Det. Stabler.
I have to admit, as much as I LOVE SVU, I haven’t really seen any of the newer seasons. But before they sign off, I hope Benson and Stabler have some HOT action. That would make the endless tension totally worth it 😉
Never watched TV until last year when I was researching the proliferation of “forensic porn” shows. I got hooked on L&O SVU (in spite of its dialogue). No Meloni and a possible JLH is bad news.
Damn. He’s the only reason I watched L&O:SVU.
I really like Jennifer Love Hewitt – I’ve worked with her and she’s so nice and warm and fun… but NO on this show for her. No no no.
I LOVE SVU. It’s my favorite out of all of the Law and Orders. I can literally watch SVU marathons for days on end. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen an episode.
Meloni/Stabler is a hot piece. This pisses me off. And JLH would bring a very sad ending to an awesome show. NO JLH.
I don’t think it’ll work without both of them (and Richard Belzer, he’s a hoot). And JLH was brought in as a victim, *twice* — they have a very low opinion of their audience if they think they can pass her off as a cop too.
@ heatheradair – Check him out in “OZ.”
(We are sympatico in our love of the bald and sexy.)
I stopped watching first run episodes of SVU a while ago, because I felt it jumped the shark too. I honestly believe that NBC bled that franchise dry and NEEDS to just shutter it.
Personally, I’m in lust with Chris Meloni and I’m actually looking forward to whatever his future film/tv projects are… preferably with his clothes off.
One can hope.. right? 🙂
You guys must not have seen too many episodes this season – they were beyond ridiculous. if “Speed Weed” wrote it (not joking about the name), switch away FAST. I think maybe it got to be too much for Chris Meloni, to his credit.
@Stephie it wouldn’t be the fist time. Casey Novak was featured a season or two before as rapist, and then became their DA
JLH could be ok if they bring in a really good partner. Not like I have any ideas.
I’m with all of you. I love Christopher Meloni. YUMMY!! JLH…. Are you friggen kidding me? That would be the complete end of the show. Ugh!!!
I haven’t watched this in years, but it’s a shame he’s leaving and it’s still going. Can’t blame him though, he probably wants to do other things.
I had high hopes for Greenblatt running NBC, but “circling” JLH to replace Mariska gives me no confidence.
Replace Meloni with JLH? If they do that, I will officially have given up on TV, and I’m right on the edge, people! Wolf or NBC needs to kill this show already. It has lost its greatness and the breakup of Benson/Stabler will deprive this show of any remaining dignity.
And I also hope Benson and Stabler have sex, though I’m a major prude.
i don’t know about JLH… how about shannon doherty? she would kick some serious ass on this show, which has been sucking hard the last 2 years.
Nobody can replace Olivia & Stabler. (I’m too fricking lazy to spell out the actors names, people. Sorry.) I agree about Sharon Stone. I was horribly stunned by her wretched acting. Nine out of ten of us commenters could have done a better job delivering her lines.
This show is going down like the Titanic.
@original kate: that is actually not a terrible idea [shannon doherty to replace benson]; and a much better idea than jlove… after benson, we need a strong female lead
If they really respected the show and the entire L&O legacy they’d let it go with dignity instead of this crap. If the leads want to go after 12 seasons then maybe it’s time to call it.
JLH for Mariska is such a come down. They might as well resurrect Cagney or Lacey to replace her. There was one cop who I thought might be okay to replace Meloni but he was nothing like him and I think he pushed some criminal out a window and that put paid to his career. Okay, so there’s no-one…
I’m so sad this has been my show for years. I even watch the reruns from when I was too young to watch. I can’t watch it without Benson & stabler 🙁 *sigh* another one bits the dust. They’re not gonna stop until there usnothing left to watch.
god, he is sexy. so sexy.
He was hot as hell on Oz. Pyscho or not.
Well since Mariska is coming back, no JLH. Thank goodness. I’d like to see Benson have a variety of partners so we can see who she has chemistry with and to just keep the possible season more fresh.
NO! That sucks, but can’t say I blame him. It’s really to bad he couldn’t do a few episodes where he finally gets it on with Benson – only reason why I watched – the chemisty they shared is what made the show. Might as well shut it down and save money now that he’s gone. Criminal Minds, CSI and L&O – I always wondered how many killers/psychos/rapists they could write about. I love a good crime show, but when you’ve seen every god awful criminal out there – without character chemistry, what’s the sense of watching?? Least I have Bones to watch for chemistry:))
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who didn’t like the Sharon Stone era! Frankly, I haven’t watched it much since. I stick with the marathons on USA.
And I’m also glad someone else agrees with me on CI! I HATED Jeff Goldblum in the role, so much so it’s turned me off him totally and I used to like him. What a smug simpering jerk he was, and any excuse to hijack he show and tickle the old piano ivories somewhere. I LOVE the new shows with Goren and Eames. YAY!!!!
Benson and Stabler have been the heart of this show… if he’s gone and she’s going why try and replace them? BRing Richard and Ice (they are awesome together too…) to the forefront and have some newbies move in to their spots.
Hate the idea of JLH… but I love the thought of Shannon joining the team. She could definitely pull off the role of supporting detective…
Pair her up with some cute geeky/nerd cop. Not a bad/weak cop, just different from the usual.
Everyone loves a cute nerd. Lol…
There has always been a lot of confident macho detectives on the show.
But Shannon and her geek partner with Richard and ice in the foreground would bring a fresh dynamic without forcing an awkward change on the viewers….
But whatever they do… please NO JLH…
I love him, he is so handsome. I also like the show but if he leaves then it will be like The Office without Michael.
I absolutely hate JLH. Loathe her with a passion. Well, I guess she’s a sweet (if extremely desperate and love-sick) girl in ‘real life’ but I think she’s a wretchedly terrible actress. I even hated those damn “Ghost Whisperer” commercials where she shrieked exactly the same way in EVERY single commercial. *gag* It’s time to hang up the hat SVU. I miss my original L&O with S Epatha Merkerson and Sam Waterston. 🙁 Hell, I even like L&O: LA better than SVU at this point.
@ bluhare – And that chick! What’s her face…she sucked too! They tried to ruin CI with those two but we won! Goren & Eames are back for the (regrettably) final season.
Dear Santa Claus,
I know my letter is being sent to you early this year but I already know what I want for Christmas. It’s kind of a big request so I wanted you to have extra time to get it made and wrapped.
You how I usually ask for a pony? This year I’m asking for a stud! Here’s my request:
I would like you to convince Hollywood to create a tv show set in the old timey western days. The hero is a complete and total badass who takes down baddies and assholes but who also has a heart of gold. He can crush on some random chick whilst occasionally romancing other random chicks. Whatever. The important thing about this show is that the hero is played by Christopher Meloni (which rhymes with pony, which ties in with my request!).
So, basically I want a Western style tv show starring Christopher Meloni. Or porn starring Christopher Meloni. Both are acceptable.
Thank you in advance!
Sincerely,
Masque
p.s. Again, I know it’s still a while away but I’ve been really good this year – haven’t slapped any of my coworkers or politicians or anyone starring on E!.
@ Masque – And if Santa can’t grant your wish, there’s always Justified. (If you ain’t watchin’ you missin’ out!)
@the original bellaluna – Shoot, I don’t have cable. But yeah, that’s what I’m talking about. I’ll have to get the dvds.
I also just realized I would love to see Chris go head-to-head with Dexter Morgan.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
What’s the point of even owning a TV now??!
I knew he was in negotiaton but I never thought Christopher would leave. I do agree that the show is going downhill. The storylines are too bizarre. I thought Christine Lahti was ok but Sharon Stone was horrible. I actually haven’t seen new episodes in years since USA have so many marathons.
The world was definitely a safer place with Detectives Stabler and Benson in charge. No way am I ever going to visit NYC now! ;D
What does it mean exactly to “jump the shark”? I’m serious. I never heard it. (and no I don’t get out much)
Completely agreed that the series can’t successfully go forward without Benson & Stabler. If they want to keep going with the SVU series, they should relocate it. LA, New Orleans, whatever. NYU has reached the point of needing retirement (6 or 7 times over.)
Re: JLH – No. Just… No. She doesn’t have the right personality for this sort of character, it would always come across as struggling.
I don’t dislike her, she’s more of an airhead, in the way Jessica Simpson is… Non-bitchy-pretty-harmless, airhead.
Christopher Meloni is a great actor, but I think he can be replaced.