Well, that's a relief. After months of speculation that NBC would be bringing Law & Order: SVU back for the 11th season without the two stars that have anchored the show, there's good news. Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni have re-signed with SVU. They pair agreed to stick with NBC's top-rated Neilsen drama for two more seasons. Good news is probably an understatement. It's really great news because with SVU moving to Wednesday, 9 p.m., the show really didn't need to shake up the cast at this point in time. Stability mattered and NBC found a way to bring the two stars into the fold, offering them both the flexibility they sought.
That's not the only development out of SVU. There's also an addition to the show and a return. Emmy-award winning actress Christine Lahti is going to appear in a four-episode stint, and Stephanie March is back as former A.D.A. Alexandra Cabot. Ms. March, a.k.a. Mrs. Bobby Flay, did a few episodes last season -- when her character left the Witness Protection Program -- and has inked a deal for 10 shows in the new season. No word on whether Food Network's busiest Bobby is going to appear as a killer chef with a sexual predilection for jalapeno peppers.
It seems that NBC realized that it had a lot to lose by shaking things up too much with SVU. Considering the changes in store with the Leno at 10 p.m. plan, NBC dramas cannot afford to be treated with disrespect. SVU has always delivered consistent, high quality, and based on today's news, it should continue to do so.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-30-2009 @ 4:13PM
miller980 said...
Since we don't know details of their contracts, it's a little premature to suggest that NBC caved. Maybe the "stars" realized in this economy they're lucky to have jobs and came down off of their high (and overpriced) horse.
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6-30-2009 @ 5:37PM
Nhex said...
Face it, without them this show would be completely dead, and NBC is in an incredibly weak position right now. They were always going to give in, it was just a matter of time.
6-30-2009 @ 5:28PM
Virginia said...
NBC did cave. They both got raises.
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6-30-2009 @ 7:49PM
Owloo said...
I would have kept watching with or without the 2 stars. I liked when Connie Nielsen filled in and played Danni Beck when Mariska Hargitay went on maternity leave I kinda wished Hargitay's Olivia never came back LOL I liked Nielsen's Danni character way more. When Annabella Sciorra left the role of Carolyn Barek over on L&O : CI,,, I was kinda hoping Nielsen's Danni would be moved over there and become partners with Chris Noth's character Mike Logan.
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7-01-2009 @ 12:32AM
CParis said...
10 years is plenty long enough for any series. I stopped watching the first run episodes at least 5 years ago.
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7-01-2009 @ 12:56PM
Rain said...
I'm sorry to hear that. I can't stand the two of them. I'll still watch the other L&O but this one I totally tune out.
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7-11-2009 @ 1:22PM
Tracey said...
Good grief! I think this is why I rarely read TVsquad anymore... the people on this site are so cynical and negative! I read the articles from time to time, but the comments are always acidic. Personally, I'm a fan of lots of TV, SVU included, and I'm glad that Chris and Mariska are staying! I watch because they are both tremendous actors and I like ever-changing dynamic between their respective characters. I'm not a TV insider - just a fan! -so personally, I don't care about the terms of their contract. With Stephanie March coming back for a few eps, Christine Lahti joining, and some great guest stars, I'm excited for season 11. Shows have their ups and downs, especially long-running dramas, but I'm always glad for the familarity of SVU on my TV.
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