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 Kat

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I will miss him. He has a fantastic body. Good luck, Chris!

By Billy Jo

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Hi. I work for NBC. My goal in life is to destroy every successful tv program our network has ever made. I think Jennifer Love Hewitt would make a great actress in Law and Order. Yes that is right Law and Order, well before we sell the entire franchise to the WB, which I think makes a lot of sense.That said, I may not have a job for much longer, unless of course we just close circuit stream our programming to the mental wards. That seems to be where we are headed. Hope that pays well.

By Chika

It's too bad, Chris Meloni, is the perfect guy for the law and order SVU.... They should do whatever it takes to keep him. He got this perfect look :-) good actor.
I like watching this show with his partner Mariska, perfect match... Please don't let him go.... :-(

By Cricket

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Another Charlie Sheen move. Meloni won't find another job like this one. I used to love SVU but the subjects of the show got so gorey. I LOVE Mariska Hargitay though!!

By michael

I hope they don't just write Meloni out. Please bring him back at the beginning of the season so fans can have some closure with his character.

By Stacie

Say it isn't so!!!!!! The show will NOT be the same with out him or Mariska if she leaves as well.

By maria

SVU will not be the same. There was chemistry between Eliot & Olivia. A new cast may not have that same chemistry. Law & Order: CI is a prime example of why not to let the original cast members leave the show! Goren & Eames were the best ones & now they are back & the show is good again.

By vanessa

well guess thats it for me, i guess im kinda old school, you just dont fix something that isnt broke, and svu is great the way it is, guess i will stick with reruns, cause when chris leaves i leave!!!

By laura22122

When oh when will Benson and Stabler get together!! Been waiting on that for yearssssss

By Linda

They might as well cancel this show as without Mariska and Chris it just won't be the same although I like Finn and Munch, whom we haven't seen enough of lately. Replacements would have to be really good.

By oakandbay

Heyyyyyy....Chris Meloni leaves, so do I. Just like with CSI and William Petersen. Haven't been back to watch since.

By Agnes George

If Chris leaves, the show is in the toilet!

I Mariska leaves, just cancel IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

By agmom04

Must be the last season because the show will go belly-up without Meloni! I love Mariska, but Christopher was a big draw and I just don't see it, this late in its life, making it without him. As for Jennifer Love, fuhgeddaboutit. She, in no way, can play a role that calls for a little grit. Mariska has it...Jennifer doesn't!

By mets7300

They might as well cancel the show now:
When I saw CSI was being moved to Wednesday this year at 10PM to go against SVU .... I thought it would be it's downfall: Now I think CSI will probably go another 2-3 years.

By kristin omack

ill never watch it again!!!!!!!!!!!!

By tana green

The actors were ok for tv. The show went from relevant to repetitous. Nothing lasts forever.

By Cheers to Cunts!

Yeahhh....I won't be watching it anymore, then and Jennifer Love Hewitt....the show will be canceled ....scratch that noise! Gimme Meloni and Mariska .....

By Jim Dettmer

notice most reply's from women. As a man I've always thought Chris didn't get the recognition he should for his character. I would watch to see if replacement could be as good & if not would not watch anymore.

By Roberta

Oh no don't leave. Guess I will be watching something else.

By Mark

The show needs Meloni and Margitay they were the reason it made on this long. With out them it wont be nearly as good.

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