Deadline is reporting that actor Chris Meloni is leaving Law and Order: SVU after twelve seasons. Meloni was in negotiations with NBC but they couldn’t reach a deal and so he will not return. The studio is apparently looking for a name actor to replace Meloni but there is no word on who is in the running yet.
Longtime producer Neal Baer is also leaving and female lead Mariska Hargitay is not going to be around for much longer either. So in other words, the Law and Order: SVU that we’ve come to know and love is soon going to see its end, or at least as we know it. Dick Wolf is planning to give the show an overhaul so expect drastic changes.
As for why Meloni left, some sources say it’s because the actor wanted a salary raise while others say he’s just had enough. Whatever the reason is, he’ll be missed and we wish him the best of luck with what he does next.