Is Jennifer Love Hewitt Replacing Mariska Hargitay on 'Law & Order: SVU'?

By AOL TV Editors Posted May 15th 2011 01:57PM

Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni have made it no secret that they hope to cut back on their hours solving crimes on 'Law & Order: SVU.' Now, sources say another veteran TV star is eyeing a role as Hargitay's replacement: Jennifer Love Hewitt.

The former 'Ghost Whisperer' star is in talks to step in as the new partner of Elliot Stabler (Meloni), after Det. Olivia Benson (Hargitay) is promoted in the precinct to a supervising position mid-season, TV Line reports.

Hargitay has signed a deal to return for the 13th season of 'SVU,' but working fewer hours at the same salary. Meloni hasn't yet signed his deal, but is reportedly asking for a raise.

Hewitt has also not signed a deal yet. The actress appeared on the series earlier this season during an episode that brought attention to the problem of rape kit backlogs in police precincts across the country; Hewitt played a woman who was stalked and raped by a man for 15 years.

Hewitt, 32, was nominated for a Golden Globe for her starring performance in the Lifetime TV movie 'The Client List.'

Hargitay, 47, was awarded an Emmy in 2006 for her 'SVU' role.

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Tags: jennifer love hewitt, Law and Order, law and order svu, mariska hargitay

Comments

(116)

Sunday 15 May

By MARIA

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Who dropped you on your head? Are you just a bore ArzzHole, ,
or are you stoned?

By Yardley

Jump the Shark! No way will we watch without Mariska!
Jennifer Love Hughit is NO actress. Sorry. Dont want to be mean, but shes a plump bikini model at best. (for short people)

By poppyseed

Mariska Hargity is one of my favortie actresses on TV. People have gotten so used to Olivia and Eliot, I don't know if anyone could replace Hargity. Everytime I see her, I can't help thinking of her mother Jayne Mansfield. I'm also glad that Sela Ward is back on TV in CSINY.

Monday 16 May

By cliff

Yea, and her father was Michael Hargity, Mr. Universe.

By MickeyD675

JLH is a little cutesy for the roll. At the same time don't go all the way to the other extreme and hire a Rosie O'Donald type talk about a man hating lesbian.

By Patty Du

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You are way out of line regarding Mariska Hargitay! This woman is one of the best things to ever happen to SVU and it's a shame to replace her even though it is something she wants ... but please not with Jennifer 'Love' Hewlett

By sharon

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Nothing against Jennifer, but if they let Mariska go, myself, my colleagues, family, etc will NOT continue to watch Law & Order SVU.

Mariska is a STAPLE!!

By wllharrington

I agree but we will have the reruns.

By kathy

All you devoted fans do not seem to remember that JLH was a guest on SVU last year as a rape victim that was raped over 20 years by the same perp. She was actually excellent and I wouldn't be surprized if she gets an Emmy nod for guest appearance.

By Hmmm

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I think JLH is an excellent choice!

By crystal

Now I will for SURE not be watching this show! Jennifer CAN'T act! They will lose lots of viewers if they do that.

By shymtnranch

oh boy, an even better set of hooters to enjoy.. now they just need some new writers. they lost me some time ago..

By jessica

Oh no. I hate to see Mariska cutting back her hours but if it's what she wants I wish her the best. Jennifer Love Hewitt would be a disaster as a replacement. I could see her replacing Mary Poppins, but not Mariska.

By Dillon

If they do bring her on...I'm not watching anymore. That useless air-head would actually make the show unbearable.

By the_fool

It should be pretty clear in an episode or two if she can stand on a soap box and preach the liberal agenda lines. If so - then she is in and the show will seem normal.

By maryjanern1

I hate to see Mariska decrease her appearances, but two good strong cop replacements might be Tia Texada (Cruz from Third Watch) or Molly Price ( Yokas from Third Watch), both were strong NYPD.

By ChristineC

I liked Jennifer L. Hewitt on "Ghost Whisperer" so I don't have a problem with her. Personally, I don't like where the show is going-with Stabler and Benson showing their emotions

By Ted

This show hasn't been worth watching in years, who cares whos in it, the plots suck.

By Dmoongo

The whole Law & Order franchise has seen better days. Let it die an honorable death.

By tjurrette

I can't imagine the show continuing to be successful w/o Benson and Stabler to be honest. When they began to play musical actors on Law & Order: Criminal Intent it died a slow death and now they have Vincent D'Onofrio & Kathryn Erbe back for the final season as Goren and Eames, and it's good again just for the record. I respect Mariska Hargitay's desire for more family time, she just adopted a baby...but replacing any of the major characters may not work well.

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