NBC is staying in the chung-chung business.
The network has sealed a deal with producer Dick Wolf to bring Law & Order: SVU back for an 11th season, sources confirm to me exclusively.
But there’s a catch: The pact covers the show but not leads Chris Meloni and Mariska Hargitay, whose contracts expire in May. NBC is only now starting negotiations with both actors, and if history is any indication, it could be a tense, protracted affair.
Back in 2007, you’ll recall, shortly after the pair inked new two-year
deals worth more than $330,000 an episode, Meloni posted a terse
message on his personal website calling the talks “unpleasant to say
the least.” He added that “I’ll have much more to say about that when
my responsibilities to the show are done.”
My beloved Mariska, meanwhile, raised eyebrows last fall when she
seemed to suggest in an interview with Ladies’ Home Journal that she
was looking forward to life after SVU so she could spend more time with
her son, August. (At the time, a source close to the actress said her
comments were taken out of context.) Her recent health problems also
may factor into her decision to stay or go.
NBC declined to comment, but an SVU insider says the net is expected to make a formal
announcement about SVU’s renewal early next week. Maybe
the net’s waiting until they have pickup deals in place with the other
two L&O’s?
In any case, what are your thoughts on SVU’s unofficial renewal? Could
you see the show going on without Chris and Mariska? (I can’t!) Sound
off below!
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Hi. Any news on Chuck being renewed for Season 3? Thanks.
I get nervous any time NBC renews a show that ISN’T Chuck. Viva Buymoria!
I can’t see it without them! this is the only law & order (the only cop drama) that i watch at all, and the only reason i watch it is because of Benson and Stabler!
It’s funny – with L&O you can seemingly have a rotating cast every week, but with SVU, I can’t imagine not having Benson & Stabler. I’d likely watch because I like the show, but it would lose millions of viewers. SVU is not the same as L&O. Though Dick Wolf is probably cocky enough to think it is.
I don’t mean this to be mean – but start the grieving process because Chuck is so canceled.
I think continuing on without Chris or Mariska would be difficult. The show has centered on them for 11 years! That being said, the writing on the show has steadily gone down hill for the past three or four years, with more and more clunker scripts making their way to the screen. A change of focus on new characters could be helpful (although the show doesn’t have a great track record of bringing in compelling new characters). What they can’t do is lose both leads at the same time. Perhaps if they bring them back in a reduced capacity (less episodes) and use them to integrate new characters into the story they might have a chance to switch leads. Otherwise, I say cancellation in one to two years if they lose both leads.
Thanks so much for the info, Michael! It’s nice to have confirmation even though most of us thought the show was coming back. The big question is, of course, whether CM and MH will re-sign or not! If they go, a very large portion of the fanbase will go with them, so I hope TPTB do everything in their power to get the two leads to re-sign. Even though the ratings aren’t what they used to be, SVU is still one of NBC’s highest rated shows and is performing very well in the demos – not too shabby for a 10 year old show! So pleeeeeeease NBC, recognize CM and MH’s value to the show and to your network and offer them a good deal!
if there is no chris or mariska, then Law and order svu, may as well not even come back. i cant have this show become another original law and order, switching main leads every other season. its like as if lost would kill get rid of jack and sawyer and locke without completing their destinies.
If Chris or Mariska leave, this show might as well retract that renewal. The show will go under in no time because regardless of the fact that there are other characters, people tune in MAINLY to see Benson and Stabler. They are the show and without them, the dynamic will be disrupted and it won’t be worth watching at all. Look at shows in the past – The X-Files crashed without Duchovny; CSI is crashing without WIlliam Petersen. And this one will follow suit if the leads leave. Why do people watch this show? It’s not for the supporting characters, although they do add something to the mix. But they are not the main reason this show has been successful. The show needs them. If Dick Wolf cares anything at all about seeing this show continue, or competing for longevity like he seems to strive for, then this needs to be taken into consideration.
no mariska, no svu. period.
“I get nervous any time NBC renews a show that ISN’T Chuck.”
Likewise.
I love L&O:SVU, and hope it does get rrenewed. Will be very sad if benson and Stabler are not on the show, as part of the reason I love this show- they brought it heart. Definitley more heart than the other L&O (I enjoy them, just not as much…)
Have to agree with other commenters – I’m starting to really worry for Chuck. Come on NBC, give us renewal already!!
Kill Kathleen, let E&O’s relationship progress to where it naturally SHOULD HAVE BEEN about three years ago, and end it gracefully. I will NOT watch SVU without Chris or Mariska. That’s like turing over the X-Files to Doggett and Reyes. I will BOYCOTT!
The stories are best with Benson and Stabler involved. However, the writing is what keeps me coming back. I’ve long gotten used to the changes in Law and Order’s cast, and L&O CI has even created two teams to rotate. Keep the quality, pay the actors for the success they have generated, and let’s not turn everything over to Jay Leno’s new time slot. I hate to see a slot for 5 quality shows get gobbled up like that.
Sorry, Mariska needs to move on and do other things. 10 yrs is a good run
Mariska IS that show. It’s her choice though.
I’m really happy that SVU has been renewed because I love that show, but this does make the Chuck situation look worse than ever. Some news on Chuck is needed because it’s the suspense that is killing me
As much as it may kill the show, I would support Mariska 100% if she decided to leave. Health and family are much more important than work.
People, the renewal of SVU has NOTHING to do with Chuck! Did anyone actually think SUV wouldn’t return? Of course not. It’s always been a part of the equation when discussing Chuck’s prospects. This doesn’t hurt Chuck at all because it was expected anyway.
NO WAY! The show needs these two to say the least. you cant just blow us Off as we look forward to these people
each week. PLEASE DONT LET THIS HAPPEN!
It wouldn’t be the same without “Benson and Stabler”. I just recently started watching SVU so if they don’t come back, I’ve got 10 seasons to cath up on!!!
WTF does Chuck have to do with SVU????? WHo cares about Chuck; we want our SVU Squad Room to be like it’s always been!!!!
TOTALLY AGREE with you about E & O being together, but Kathleen is an okay person; hate to see anything happen to her. But if anything did I can see E & O together! They are probably closer than Elliott is with Kathleen.
The show wouldn’t be the same without the two top actors.
If you have to replace them – please pick someone that will fit their character.
Like Mariska and Chris and they would be missed – But They are Not the show. The story and the writing are the show. It will carry on without them just like the other Law & Order shows!
I agree with the others. I love the show, but I don’t think it will survive if Mariska doesn’t renew, and I would really hate to see Chris leave. Mariska is what makes the show what it is. SVU is nothing like the rest of the franchise, and I think recent attempts to change the cast have more than demonstrated that. Look at what happened with Adam Beach and Micahela McManus, and those are just supporting roles. Can you imagine what would happen if Chris or Mariska left? I know I wouldn’t watch.
The better question is where are they going to put it on the schedule? The show isn’t exactly family friendly and if Leno is in the 9/10pm slot where does it fit?
UM, LET ME THINK.. NOOOOOO!!!!! THE SHOW WILL SUCK WITHOUT MARISKA AND CHRIS, PLUS IF THEY WEREN’T ON THE SHOW, NOBODY WOULD WATCH IT, AND THE RATINGS WOULD FALL AND NBC WOULD BE UTTERLY SCREWED!!!!!
Unlike the rest of the L&O franchise, Meloni & Hargitay are the key to that show’s success. I would stop watching if one or the other left.