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)

Tuesday 24 May

By iamnannyrita

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WONT WATCH ANYMORE, YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO SCREW UP A GOOD THING,BENSON AND STABLER ROCK, I LOVE HEWETT BUT SHE IS NOT THE ONE FOR BENSONS ROLE, THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER DUO LIKE THIS ONE.

By arlissholmes

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Meloni is great, the show will suffer without his appearance. Jennifer Love Heweittt is a nice visual replacement.

By Teresa Hilyard

Replacing Mariska - you've GOT to be kidding. Without her and Chris, good riddence - they make that show, and the chemistry is incredible. Jennifer Love-Hewitt - surely you jest! No way, Jose! And you better pay Chris what he is worth. Mariska and Chris ARE that show!

Wednesday 25 May

By violet

took the words right out of my mouth !!!!
smart woman

By Lauren

Mariska and Ice T will be the last good actors on the show

By Daz

THat's the wrong move. He is essential for the show stories. Too bad!!! Finally a show I enjoyed watching and it will be dismantled.

Producers!!!!! shame on you!!!! you are too griddy

Thursday 26 May

By cheryl marshall

bring the cute cop in from lola he was hott and yes rent oz i envy mrs. Meloni

By Teri

Bummer about Meloni leaving L&O:SVU. I thoroughly enjoy his acting and the on-screen chemistry he has with all the other actors. Time shall tell whether the chosen replacement is worthy...

By TORI

He's way overpaid, these actors think there mega gods and deserve ridiculous amounts of money to live their outrageously expensive life styles. He's good but no one deserves the money this guys been taking home when people can't even find a job to put food on there tables. Mariska is looking to take additional time off because she adopted a baby not because the show wants to get rid of her. People should read the facts before they jump to conclusions.

By mjprothro

I will no longer watch L&O, SVU without Mariska and Chris. Jennifer L hewitt, you must be on crack. Goodbye Law & Order...I will miss this series terribly...Spent my days off watching the marathons....hello OWN!

By Bobby Dee

Looks like SVU has one more season in it, given that it's already on the fall schedule. Then it will live on in reruns forever.

By jckfmsincty

At long last, good for Meloni. For years, I've said he should have played Stanley Kowalski to Cate Blanchett's Blanche DuBois on Broadway. Well, that's over. I hated the underuse of his talent on the boring and predictable "SUV-Horrible Gas Mileage". Chris, haven't you made enough money from television to do much more?

By Alicia

This is the last of great TV shows. Mariska and Chris are two of the greatest actors on TV today. Probably won't watch it. Jennifer Love Hewitt is not even a good replacement for Mariska because she is not in the same league. Thanks Chris and Mariska for a great 12 years of great acting. Will miss you!

By Lisa

Nooooooooooo!!!! No one can ever leave! I can't take it!

By Scarlett

I can't believe that NBC would let Chris Meloni go. L&O:SVU will not last the season. Hargitay is good and I love Ice-T, but without Stabler, it is over. You would think that a network that is last in the ratings would do just about anything to keep one of their best, most-watched shows on the air. I don't think I will be watching much of NBC programming any more and you can bet I won't be the only one. Nice job NBC!

By Bob

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Actually, and I hate to start this out negatively, but I was never a real big fan of Mariska. She played the character well, but the character she plays is always angry. Plus and I can understand the role but with more currentr shows there is a romantic friction between the leads-CAstle, the mentalist, The closer, Chicago Code those are all I can think of off the top of my head. And not strictly for that reason but I think it would be interesting to see Jennifer Love Hewitt in a roll like that- no actual follow through but a romantic spark with the lead. Like the "Work Spouse" connundrum.

By Shellie

Have they lost their minds? Add Jennifer Love Hewitt, she is an excellent actress. However, for heavens sake don't let Meloni or Hargitay go. They messed up letting the Eames and Gorin duo
go. Yes, Chris I wish you well, not that you would care what I thought, but you will be greatly missed.

By PJ

Chris Potter would be a good one to replace him.

By JM

Christopher Meloni is one sexy SOB, damn, I watch this show just to look at his a*S!!!

By jaxintn

I hope this isn't so. Benson and Stabler ARE INDEED SVU!
I'll have no reason to watch if they're no longer on it.
The chemistry between this cast is amazing, I can't imagine the show without them.
And to replace with Jeniifer Love-Hewitt? Lol
One of the best aspects of Benson and Stabler are their seasoned outlooks on life and maturity.
I hope an agreement can be reached.

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