I'd Love Christopher Meloni Back on Law & Order: SVU, But the EP Makes Strong Stabler Case

Big TV Cancellations in April and the Fate of Law & Order: Organized Crime

In April, several major television shows were canceled, and one of the most notable was Law & Order: Organized Crime. This spinoff of Law & Order, starring Christopher Meloni, was officially canceled by Peacock. The show had previously aired for four seasons on NBC before making its debut on the NBCUniversal streamer. Now, it’s not only off the air on Peacock but also no longer scheduled to return to NBC.

Fans of Organized Crime have been vocal about their disappointment, with many hoping that Meloni would make a return to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU) as his iconic character, Elliot Stabler. However, there are several factors that could complicate such a return.

The Possibility of Stabler's Return to SVU

The budget for SVU is reportedly tight at the moment, which has led to some cast members stepping back from their roles. For instance, Ice-T has had to miss multiple episodes due to other commitments, and Kelli Giddish has returned as a series regular. Despite these challenges, there is still hope that Stabler might make an appearance on the long-running drama.

Michele Fazekas, the showrunner of SVU, has expressed her willingness to bring back Stabler, but she emphasizes that any return must be meaningful:

"I wouldn’t want to just drop him in an unimportant scene. You have to use him and bring him in with purpose. So, yeah, I would love to bring Stabler back around once in a while."

This sentiment makes sense, as fans have grown attached to the dynamic between Stabler and Olivia Benson, played by Mariska Hargitay. Their relationship is one of the most cherished aspects of the show, and any return should be handled with care to avoid disappointing viewers.

The Importance of the Benson and Stabler Relationship

The connection between Benson and Stabler has always been central to the show, and fans are eager to see them together again. While they haven’t shared scenes in a while, there have been hints of a potential romantic connection. A near-kiss in previous seasons left fans wondering if their relationship could evolve further.

Fazekas has been trying to get Meloni to appear on SVU to satisfy fan demand, but it hasn’t worked out so far:

"When I was on the show, it was Benson and Stabler, and I personally don’t know about a love interest for her. I think that is a really important relationship that I do want to serve as much as we can. Chris works a lot. There were a couple of episodes this year, I was like, ‘Hey, is he around?’ and he was working."

Now that Meloni is working on his new Hulu show, The Land, it may be even more challenging to bring him back to SVU, even for a few scenes. However, Fazekas remains committed to exploring the evolving relationship between Benson and Stabler, especially as both characters have changed over the years.

Looking Ahead to SVU’s 28th Season

As SVU prepares for its 28th season later this year, there is still hope that Stabler could make an appearance. Fazekas acknowledges the importance of the Benson and Stabler relationship, not just for the audience but also for the characters themselves.

"I think it’s important to service that relationship for me personally and also for the fans. It’s a super important relationship to Benson, and Benson is a different person than she was when I was on the show before. She has grown in so many different ways, and that relationship is very different, and Stabler is a different person. So, what are they now together? And so exploring that would be great if Chris Meloni is available."

While it’s unfortunate that Meloni’s new project may interfere with his SVU schedule, fans can still look forward to rewatching their favorite moments from the Bensler era. Law & Order: SVU and Organized Crime are both available to stream on Peacock, offering a way to revisit the characters and stories that have captivated audiences for years.

Peacock TV: from $7.99 a month/$79.99 a year
Check out the Law & Order shows now using Peacock TV! The service costs as little as $7.99 a month, and customers can also pay more for Peacock Premium or Peacock Premium Plus to enjoy ad-free streams as well as the ability to download titles to watch offline. View Deal