Half of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit‘s dynamic duo will not be returning when the thirteenth season starts this fall. Christopher Meloni, famous as NYPD detective Elliot Stabler, has not renewed his contract with NBC.
Meloni has been in extended contract talks with the network for some time. According to TV Line (who did not reveal their source) the talks have broken down, and Law & Order creator Dick Wolf is actively searching for a new male lead.
The actor has played Elliot Stabler for twelve seasons, and is one of only four actors who has been with the show for its entire run up until now. The other three remaining original cast members, Mariska Hargitay, Richard Belzer and Law and Order veteran Dann Florek, will all return in the fall, though Hargitay will only appear for half of the season.
This isn’t good news for NBC. The broadcast network has struggled in the ratings game in the last few years, and SVU is its top scripted drama. The original Law & Order series concluded last year, and the first spin off, Criminal Intent, has moved on to the greener pastures of cable on USA. A handful of other Law & Order projects have failed to find an audience, like the recently cancelled Law & Order: Los Angeles.
It’s hard to imagine how SVU will continue with the loss of one of its most visible players – and likely two, by the end of the season. As interesting as John Munch (Belzer) and “Fin” Tutuola (Ice-T) are, they’ve never driven the drama-heavy stories as well as Benson and Stabler. Instead of promoting the secondary characters to the spotlight, Dick Wolf will probably bring in some fresh blood – like the short-lived addition of Jeff Goldblum to Criminal Intent‘s 8th season.
Meloni has consistently played the “bad cop,” as Stabler regularly assaults rapists and child molesters. He’s also the conservative voice in the show’s regular station house debates, playing against Benson’s liberal leanings and Munch’s libertarianism. Meloni’s replacement will likely need to mirror the Stabler character’s aggressive style and sociological affiliations to keep the current dynamic.
After thirteen years, SVU‘s character-driven drama and hot-button topics have had less and less impact, driving the producers to create big moments and guest arcs that distract from the cases and trials. In just the past few seasons there’ve been several extra-long gunpoint standoffs and an extended birth scene in a wrecked car. One wonders how long the most successful of Law & Order‘s franchises can keep it together with its leading man gone.
-
New episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit will return to NBC this fall – minus one detective.
Follow Michael on Twitter: @MichaelCrider
Source: TV Line
Stephen King ‘Zombie’ Film ‘Cell’ To Be Directed by ‘Paranormal Activity 2′ Helmer 
‘Arrow’ Season 1 Finale Review 
J.J. Abrams Planned ‘Star Trek’ TV Show; Rights Issues Led to Jump to ‘Star Wars’? 
‘Riddick’ Full Trailer: Riddick Gets Unchained (Plus New Images) 
Watched the first episode. It was a disappointment to me and I kept waiting for Det. Stabler to appear. Then at the end it was announced he was going to retire. Maybe he will become a police chief somewhere and that will start a new spinoff of L&O.
I didn’t know Meloni wasn’t returning until I saw the 1st episode. I am not happy about it but I’m relieved in one way. Stabler was too often the bad cop and punching bag for Olivia’s rants or screw ups. How many times did he get shot, stabbed, or pummeled bc of Olivia? Gonna miss his character.
Can someone tell me what Kelli Giddish was like in this episode as I dont like her.
Remember Dani who was in this show ages ago ? She replaced Benson for a while because she was on leave for some reason. Well was she played by Kelli Giddish ?
DET. DANI BECK WAS PLAYED BY CONNIE NIELSEN, WHO GOT HER FIRST BIG BREAK IN THE MOVIE DEVILS ADVOCATE WITH AL PACINO AND KEANUE REEVES. IRONICALLY SO DID TAMARA TUNIE WHO PLAYS MEDICAL EXAMINER WARNER.
Did Kelli Giddish play Dani in SVU some years back ?
does this forum get used stil ?
I think they should rename the show BENSON. The other characters can work around her and she could be in charge of them. Its not going to work the way it is.
Really, it’s pathetic. Like hello DICK WOLF, can’t you see most of the LAW AND ORDER shows had been cancelled, do you want this one to be cancelled too? The reason SVU goes on for so long it was cause of the Existence of Stabler and Benson, now that Stabler is gone what exactly is good about SVU? 13 years and that is it? well then might as well cancelled the show cause I’m pretty sure no one else will watch it. As much as I love Ice-T, Giddish from Chase and Pino from Cold Case yet, no ONE, i mean NO can replace Stabler and Benson!
If I were Wolf, I’d double the pay for the show to go on!
Oh and annoyingly enough, B.D. Wong and Dr. Warner won’t be regulars as well? like what is up with that?.
I HAVE COMPLETELY LOST MY FAITH NOT ONLY IN HUMANITY BUT WITH THE TELEVISION!
I love SVU i have watched every possible episode, even falling out with my husband because he does not “go for” american stuff. I did not realise Stabler had gone until i saw the new guy out of “cold case” in the advert, i can only catch up with SVU on replay cos sunday night universal is out cos “him to be obeyed” wants to watch other stuff on the other channels yawn yawn, although i have continued working after he retired in 2009. The way i see it is i pay for it i should be able to watch what i want. he bought me a “black box” for christmas 2009 but that does not allow me to watch universal or “hallmark” as it was then.
I COMPLETELY AGREE! Without Stabler there is no show. Id give it one season at most before its cancelled. This show is amazing I cannot believe Stabler is leaving. And, not to mention, Benson will only be in half the episodes. Its not even SVU anymore without them. Its a completely different show and I hate it. I hope they see it’s a fail and give Meloni whatever it takes to get him back.
Dick Wolf should really scrap this show now and make a new one. This one has had it
I WILL NOT WATCH SUV, NOW THAT STABLER IS GONE, THAT WAS THE BEST SHOW ON TV, I WOULD WATCH THE RE RUNS ON THE WEEK ENDS. JUST LIKE I SAW THEM FOR THE FIRST TIME. WAKE UP!!!!!!!!WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT GOOD, KEET IT GOING!!!!!!!!
I agree ! SVU has been my favorite since it started.
I dont think its anyones fault that Meloni left. He wanted to go I think. But they are not handling it right.
Well, at least you seem to be a real fan. B.T.W. I answered both your questions. If you read my comment on previous page,the whole Stabler thing is in my comment. In short, it was all about $$$$$$, guess $350,000. per episode is not enough. Another example of greed in these tough times. Don’t worry, Danny Pino from Cold Case will be a great replacement, just give him a fair evaluation…..
Hi Tony, this forum is crazy. I dont know wether its me not using it right or what but the answers to my questions dont show up until afew days later. Thankyou anyway for anwering me on my questions etc. Sorry if I sound like a loony
No problem Cherry. That’s wierd that you don’t see the answers until a few days later…I see the posts immediately. And you don’t sound like a loony lol. I usually check every day just to see peoples opinions. I hope you see my answers to your questions. Actually watching S.V.U. marathon on U.S.A. right now. It’s on every Tuesday all day here in Jersey…lol. I am happy to answer any questions if I can anytime..Have a good day……………
Hi Tony
Im going to try replying to your post about where you said you were watching SVU marathon. Yea ?
Lets see if I see the answer today. Just an experiment xx
Why dont these comments make sense. People say things and some times ask questions but then the next comment doesnt apply to the previous comment at all. They are all jumbled up and not in any assemlance of order at all.
Not all questions get answered.I hit the reply button under the person I wish to answer. You should see your posts and right underneath you should see the answer, if someone replies to you, like me. I see your posts, and right under your questions, i see my answers..Let me know if you see it that way also…later
Ok Tony Russo, thanks Ive got that answer about Dani now. I didnt like her and I dont like Giddish either. To me they both look the same.
Neither of them could hold down their own shows so why put them in a show that its in jeapordy. Shouldnt the showrunners be finding bigger actors to put in ?
My opinion is that if they sign a big star, they might over shadow the regulars and the show would lose perspective. Law N order signed Dennis Farina for 2 seasons then he left when that show lost Jerry Orbach. S.V.U signed Sharon Stone as D.A for 1 season, and she didn’t stay either. As I stated in my answer to you, Danny Pino will fit in nicely.However, if Dick Wolfe ask’s me nicely,I could fill in for Meloni for a hell of alot less than $350,000 per episode….LOL….Take care……
I think Im getting the hang of this forum now. Im a slow learner lol. I wasnt ‘replying’ to you, I was randomly posting so my posts were flying everywhere and so I never saw your answers to me. Stupid me. Well I am from the UK lol.
I like your line about you replacing Meloni lol. I could replace Giddish too. I loved Jerry Orbach, I was so sad when he died. Never liked Dennis Farina. And omg Sharon Stone, what the heck were they thinking of there. I get your point though. I dont even know why I suggested bigger stars. I think i must have had a blond moment there lol.
yaaaaayyy yes I do see your posts. And all your blonde jokes LOL. Yes I am blonde but Im a bottle blonde
Talking of bottle blondes, I HATE KELLI GIDDISH. I hope she goes the ways of Laurence Fishburn in CSI and that horrible women who took oveer JJ for abit in Criminal Minds. Ill give SVU about a nine months before Wolf realises the show is well and truly doomed.
xxx
I should have said ‘Yes I do see your replies under MY posts’. Another blonde moment LOL x
I didn’t even realize Stabler wasn’t coming back until the second episode. I was just hoping he was taking a break for the first one and he would come back
. But then I saw the theme song in the second episode and he wasn’t there…neither are the psych doctor and the medical examiner. This makes me SO SAD. I really don’t want to watch the show anymore without Elliot. He was practically the only reason I DID watch the show. I never watched the spin offs either cause there was no Elliot D: Can’t believe the original team is gone 
I wish this season the best of luck cause it’s really going to need it…and I’m super bummed that Olivia will be gone too mid season. It seems like there’s no point watching this anymore if they’re BOTH going to be gone :’(
Denise, I can honestly see this being the last season of SVU. It may get cancelled towards the end even. Whatever happens, I am certain this will be the last season now.
What a pessimist you are Cherry,it is not the last season,I told you I am going to replace Meloni,and the ratings will sky-rocket..LMAO…
Sad day today…I know you said you are in the U.K.,but here in the U.S., baseball playoffs for the world series has begun,and being born in New York, the New York Yankees got eliminated last nite,so today is a “bummer day”..I guess you would feel the same if Manchester United, or the U.K. got knocked out of the world cup in soccer..lol..Should I have typed that in caps BLONDIE????….LOL…TTYL
ooooh hate football, or soccar or whatever the name is. Yes here it is football but I dont watch or am remotely interested in it. Who is Manchester United lol. No I am not that blonde. They are all the same to me. Some nice looking footballers though I must say. Some ugly ones too. So am I right you said you are in New Jersey now ? Ahhh Bon Jovi country. Yes ! One of the best bands around (to me anyway). We went on holiday to Boston recently and the talk there was all about the Boston Red Sox. Must admit I got a T Shirt with the Boston Red Sox on it. Well you have to dont you lol. I forgot, you were going to replace Meloni. You may have missed the boat though. People are starting to like Pino. x
Didn’t I predict that Pino would be a great replacement if given a fair chance by S.V.U. fans? And yes,I live in South Jersey,but my roots are, and will always be NEW YORK. All my family & friends still live there.
LOL, you know to me the Rec Sox and the New York Yankies are just football teams. I am SORREEE lol. I didnt know they were enemys. My greatest dream is to visit New York and if I did I would buy a T Shirt with the New York Yankies on it too. To me they are just T Shirts, but I guess to you they are more than that. I suppose it is like wearing two enemy T Shirts here. Like Stoke which my hubbys team, and Middlesbrough which is their enemy lol. You guys take these things way to sereiously LOL. To be honest I havent even worn the Boston T Shirt since I came home. It was just a memento lol. It will prob never come out of the closet again.
I have only seen Pino in Cold Case so far and to me he looks wooden. I cant see him being any good in SVU myself. I predict he wont last long at all.
The new series of SVU starts on 16th October here in the UK. I cant wait to see what Danny Pino is like. I dont like the look of him at all..
Trust me,you will like him….If you watched Cold Case, you will like Pino….In the new series, Olivia seems to have more authority. I won’t tell you anything, but even though I saw the first show, I was a little dissappointed, but the 2nd show was better. I won’t spoil it for to tell you anything about what happens..ttyl
I didnt watch Cold Case unfortunatly but Pino is in a film thats on one of our channells this week. Its called Across the Hall or Across The Wall or something like that. Ill watch it and see what I think of him. Ive seen trailors of the new season and I wasnt impreessed but you should never go by first impressions I dont think. I must know what you think of Giddish though ??
I am an avid wather of Law and Order and I too am sorry that Chris Meloni is leaving, the show won’t be the same without him. He and Mariska made a great team. Danny Pino from Cold Case I do find to be an intense actor though and I liked hinm in Cold Case. I think he would be a good replacement for Chris albeit he would have to come in with attitude to brighten things up. His face shows attitude anyway but he’ll have to deliver because he’s stepping in Stablers shoes
Across the Hall with Dann Pino in was terrible. Most boring film ever. If hes anything to go by by in that, then Law and Order wont be much good. He was like a wooden mannaquinn. Urgghh
Has this forum stopped getting used now ?
Oh goooooodiee. I thought everyone had left. I thought damn, not only does Meloni abandon ship but so does everyone else too. So the first episode is on over here tonight. I will watch and see what I think. I am very worried about Pino but I am petrofied about Giddish LOL. I cant see her fitting in at all. I will let you know tomorrow and I hope you have time to pop on Tony. Watch this space LOL
OMG. Kelli Giddish as Rollins needs to GO. She is soooo anoying and cannot act. She speaks like she has hundred marbles in her mouth. Do I want to watch this ‘new’ show ? Im not sure I do. Pino wasnt in it but even if he was the greatest thing on earth i dont think he will make up for this shambles of a show. Rollins needs to be shipped to the antartic. Or anywhere. Just get rid of her. It was terrible.
feedback please ?
By the way. Stabler only lives around the corner of the SVU offices (on the show). He could have the decency to pop in and say goodbye LOL
I am so sickened at the fact that Christopher Meloni will not be back on SVU and mid season we will be losing Mariska as well. I’m sorry but I feel the show just will not be the same without Elliot & Olivia (THEY MAKE THE SHOW!!) and I may just end up looking for a new show to watch instead. I don’t know facts as to why they will not be on the show but without them, the ratings will definitely drop and most likely cancel the show!
Hey Tony, great to see you are still alive lol. I many be completely blonde cos your joke either ran out half way through, or I couldnt find the end of it lol. It said, A blonde was asked what she thought of……and that was it. Now, am I meant to complete the punch line LOL ?
So what business have you got up and running ? Im interested. And Im not worried about Pino. Its that dreadful BLONDE girl Giddish. If I had a gun Id shoot her. Ugh !
This forum has started playing up again for me. I got your post through my emails, but not on here. Good job we have e mail eh. Ha ha I havent stopped laughing yet ho ho. Not really. I must admit, the first one I didnt get. So there you are. I REALLY am blonde lol.
Shuttle business sounds fun. Do you mean like those transport shuttles from a to b. Just been to Boston and used the shuttles. Do you mean like those kind ? Oram I being blonde again.
You still havent told me what you think of Kelli Giddish ?
svu is my fav program i watch it over n over but i dont think i can watch it without stabler in i need him in it with benson it just aint the same.i do like danny in cold case not svu.please get stabler back
Do you like Keli Giddish Trish ?
Tony you are back, I thought had left me. Have you been posting and I havent seen you ? Sounds great, wish I could come and ride your shuttle. Sorry, I should have rephrased that.
I cannot stand Kelli Giddish. She cant even speak properly, her accent is terrible. I dont know if Im gonna be able to watch SVU with her in it. She just grates on me. Not that keen on Pino either but I can put up with him x
Did you say your shuttle is in Las Vegas ? I would love to visit there. I watch CSI Las Vegas. So, you still havent told me exactly what you think of Gidish. She is absolutly unbearable. Please tell me you have heard something about her being axed from the show. I have to shut my eyes when she comes on screen and definatly my ears. Her accent is horrid.
AXE GIDDISH PLEEEEAAASSSE
What, where, I did comment on it. Some posts are going missing. I think Giddish is stealing them away because she knows how much I detest her. I honestly wont be watching the show once Benson has gone. What is there to watch it for after that ? I hope no one watches it after that and it totally flops on its face. Will serve them all right I say.
We have only just got Harrys Law and yes its good. Funny. But the other show you mentioned I have never heard of. We dont get it here. I agree with you that the original Law and Order is the best but which one do you mean ? Criminal Intent or Lennys show ?
Do you watch the CSI shows ? I only watch CSI Las Vegas. Once William Petersen left the show it was never the same though. Fishburn couldnt save it, I havent seen Danson yet but I doubt he will be any better. You cant replace a loved character I dont think. Never. Thats the problem with SVU.
BRING IT ON YA HOOOOOO !!
This does seem like our site doesnt it lol. I am a TV buff too I guess. My faverout show, dont know what you think of this, is Supernatural. I am on the Screen Rant forum for that show but no body posts. I love Criminal Minds too. Again, I am on the Screen Rant forum but hardly any body posts. This site is the only one that is running…..by me and you,