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 Carl

Vote down Vote up Report this

please get this contract worked out. Mariska and Chris are vital with their chemistry on the show!!!!!

By juperno2

So sad.

By Jessica

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SO upset! He is a fabulous actor and his chemistry with Mariska is superb- and irreplaceable! They are ruining the best show on TV, period. I am devastated!

By Kat

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Well that's just poo in my cereal....

By joe

Maybe they can get Charlie Sheen to replace him, he is out of work.

By Lisa

This by far is the BEST Law & Order! Nbc, just pay him the money he wants. This show will FAIL without "Olivia and Elliott". NBC, you already messed things up letting LOLA go down the tubes, just get on with it.

By arthur Shabez

WITHOUT MELONI THE SHOW IS OVER. IT WILL BE ON ONE MORE YEAR AND THATS THAT.

By dave

pay them what they want, or law and order svu is soo over

By Peggy

No, no, say it isn't so!

By Sharon

First of all Jennifer Love Hewitt couldn't replace a pimple on Mariska's butt, and if Chris Meloni leaves, the show will be doomed....just like CSI after William Petersen left and was replaced by a walrus named Lawrence fishburn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By fellini123

I will miss Meloni, but I think he could be replaced successfully with the right actor. I really like the part Ice T plays and I would like them to focus on them for awhile. Might give the show a little change.

Alice in Virginia

By Lynne

SVU has just jumped the shark.

By jay

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
he is one of the favorit

By f

the producers and director of this show are fools. I will not watch SVU (my favorite crime show) if Mariska and Chris disappear...........this show will go down even if the stories are good.

Give the man what he wants or you can forget the ratings. I think a lot of folks will stop watching.

By terri

you are so crazy for letting that man go he makes the show and you are an idiot for letting it happen.i have wached that show for yrs and you will loose ratings. because you want to be mr big and you dont know what your doingyou loose him you lost the show. and as for jennifer love hewitt that is a laugh.and for chris meloni he is a wonderful actor.

By jarsd43

Without Chris Meloni and Mariska Hargitay there really is no show. If these two are holding out for more money, they deserve it....God's money is being made from this show and it is silly for the powers that be to quibble. No one will watch substitutes.

By frankerin

Cursed to twenty years or more of reruns of all the spin offs, perhaps as she leaves, the whole program closes out. Enough already.

By MARILYN 'K'

With out Chris Meloni and/or Mariska Hagerty THERE IS NO SHOW.
The cast, in total, works really well together. Seems like the viewers likes and dislikes DO NOT MATTER to the producers.
THEIR LOSS AS THIS SHOW, LIKE MANY OTHER SUCCESSFUL SERIES THAT HAVE MET THEIR DEMISE IN THIS MANNER, WILL NOT SURVIVE!!!!

By Tina

Ok, the only way im happy about this is if he is going straight to my place! :) Man, Detective Stabler, thank God for re runs..... And im still looking forward to seeing Ice and his lady on their own show too. But wow, bummer, man.

By ANITA

ANOTHER, AMONG THE MANY TERRIBLE DECISIONS FROM THE DECLINING NBC NETWORK. THIS MAN IS THE SHOW. SO ADD THIS SHOW TO THE DO NOT WATCH ALONG WITH LAW AND ORDER L.A. IF YOU WERE KEEPING THE SHOW, WHY COULD IT NOT STAY IN NEW YORK WHERE IT BELONGS? POOR JERRY ORBACH, I AM SURE HE IS NOT PLEASED WHEREEVER HE IS.

Page 5 of 11