Chris Meloni Leaving 'Law & Order: SVU'

By Tracey Harrington McCoy Posted May 24th 2011 09:05PM

After 12 seasons playing Detective Elliot Stabler, Chris Meloni is leaving 'Law & Order: SVU,' TVLine.com reports. The actor has played the character since the show debuted on NBC in 1999.

A source told TVLine.com that talks between Meloni and studio NBC Universal broke down Tuesday. Show creator Dick Wolf is reportedly already looking for another big name to replace him. Mariska Hargitay is still scheduled to return next season.

Last week, new NBC boss Robert Greenbalt said he felt deal was in "pretty good shape" but did mention the possibility of the show continuing without its original leads. Jennifer Love Hewitt's name has been thrown around to join the cast next season as a potential replacement for Margitay.

"Jennifer Love is somebody we've been circling," Greenblatt told us, "but I don't know that that is going to happen at all."

NBC had no comment on Meloni's reported departure.

Tags: Chris Meloni

Comments

(210)

Wednesday 25 May

By sherpeace

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I believe the show started in England, didn't it? I tried to watch a couple of their shows, but they seemed boring to me. Maybe it was just 'cuz I don't understand their legal system.
I loved ALL the shows made here, even Criminal Intent, whic my husband calls the Vince Denofrio show. I love his character. The first ones were really good too. The newest one, L&O,LA, I'm not as crazy about. It has a totally diferent style than all the rest.

By Susan

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

FAST?!?!?!?! 12 years for SVU, 20 for the original? hmmmm. Your math is questionable.

Tuesday 24 May

By Becky

I will no longer watch this show!! Another show down the tubes. I Love Chris!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The people just NEVER learn!! STUPID STUPID STUPID!! Becky

By Cynthia

I'm with you Becky. Meloni and Hargitay are the best and one of the reasons I watch the show. Without them SVU will go under.

By nika4

Oh gosh this makes me sick...that show will not be the same without Chris Meloni...he was so good!

By Lori

No Benson and Stabler no reason to watch SVU.

By mrvnlimar

Amen to that! It's the end of an era.. It's been great while it lasted, and I'm glad that it lasted as long as it did.

By laura

i agree benson/stabler r the team they will be missed nl longer will i watch.repeats yes when they show them

Thursday 09 June

By Peggy

Exactly!

By KEVIN

You said all there is to be said. They are the shows center.

By Sandy

I agree - they did the same thing with L & O Criminal Intent (my favorite) - kept switching around the two main characters (though fans were livid when they were taken off). Now they are back - Vincent D'Nofrio and K. Erbe - GREAT team that should never have been axed. Perhaps they will concede and give Chris Meloni what he is asking - you'd think they would learn by now to listen to the fans.

By Mcdisney

Well then that means another Law and Order bites the dust. To bad, it was my favorite show.

By dave

just like series Hunter break up the team and down goes the show

By Lisa

SVU is Benson and Stabler ... and thus, Hargitay and Meloni. It will never be the same without both of them. This is goodbye to SVU for me.

By Viv

Omigosh! I can't believe it! There is a perfect chemistry between the actors and as it has already been said before,
it will not be the same.

BUT...all hope may not be lost! The article says that he is
leaving because talks between him and the studio broke down!
That tells me they didn't want to meet his demands.

Well, everyone, send NBC Universal and email and demand that
they keep Elliott!!!!!

By RICK

Vote down Vote up Report this

I do not know Meloni's reason for leaving, but lets not forget others who have left hit shows over the years and they are not heard from ever again. Well maybe they appear at dinner shows. A few guys from MASH left, and where are they now?

By Jeanne

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I like Chris, but I'm sure they'll find a suitable replacement. There are plenty of great actors in Hollywood. I wish him well.

By Joey

Is Wilmer Valderrama doing anything? He'd be great Love Hewitt. It was a great cast.

By HG in MN

Interesting idea! Or maybe some other crime drama with them, just not SVU. Fezz in a serious role...I'd try it.

By L Grey

If they drop Mariska Hargitay, we're over as a viewer and a show.

Page 2 of 11