Stabler Is Back! Inside Christopher Meloni’s ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Spinoff
Preview
Fulfilling the fervent hopes of millions of fans, Det. Elliot Stabler is coming back to the squad room.
Christopher Meloni will revive the tough-as-nails NYC detective in a new drama for NBC, nine years after he left Law & Order: SVU, a show he once called “the millennium’s cultural touchstone.” The character — who, in a 2011 episode, ostensibly retired from the force after a tragic shooting at SVU headquarters — will head up a unit specializing in organized crime.
No other cast has been announced, but Stabler’s wife, Kathy (Isabel Gillies), and one of his five children were slated to appear in SVU‘s season finale (which never filmed due to the coronavirus pandemic), hinting that members of the Stabler family will be part of the story.
NBC has ordered 13 episodes, making this still-untitled procedural the seventh scripted series from prolific producer Dick Wolf scheduled to be on air in the 2020–21 season.
(Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
While Meloni had previously said that he would return for a guest spot if the circumstances were right, the prospect seemed unlikely, more so considering it never materialized during SVU‘s record-breaking 21st season. However, the actor, whose recent projects range from dramas (Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale and WGN America’s Underground) to a wacky comic book adaptation (Syfy’s Happy!), has always insisted his exit from SVU was not acrimonious and stressed his love for everyone associated with the hit.
Of his relationship with SVU star Mariska Hargitay (Capt. Olivia Benson), “We are like a married couple,” he told TV Guide Magazine in 2009. When news of the upcoming show broke, she wrote on Instagram, “Welcome home.” Meloni’s response: “Saddle up, gurl, we ridin agin.”
Does that mean Stabler and Benson will work together? A reunion at some point is a decent bet since Wolf’s shows are known for their successful crossovers and SVU was just renewed for three more seasons. Watch out, bad guys!
Conversation41 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
G
Love Stabler!❤️ He’s been gone way too long! Can’t wait to see him again. My dreams have finally come true.
36 1
-
P
Totally agree! 👍👍
3
-
-
G
I am a HUGE Stabler fan! Someone brought up a great point rhat I never considered. The potential clash between he and Voight would be really interesting. I also wonder how he will handle Benson out rankiing him as Captain. I can't wait to see how this all pans out.
19 1
-
B
If he's heading up the organized crime force he might actually outrank her.
But I wonder how they'll explain his return to active duty in a command rank.
9 1
-
O
It is common for retired "uniform" personnel, to return to work for the same municipality, but in a "civilian" title.
For example, in NYC, a retired NYPD officer, sergeant, captain,etc. could come back to the NYPD down the line as the Commissioner, as it is a "civilian" title.
So it's highly likely that Stabler will be brought back at some high ranking position that will oversee this new unit.
1
-
P
True
-
-
O
Supposed to be equal rankIng
1
-
-
O
I'm so happy that Stabler is back but I think he shud be on the original SVU. Even tho I know Chris Meloni can hold his own but it wuz the chemistry that him Mariska had on the show that kept us glued to our seats.
21 4
-
C
OMG!!!! I'm so Happy He's Back..
💞😘❤️
14 1
-
G
SVU has not been the same without him. I was sooooo mad when he left(or got pushed out) from the show. In my opinion, he made the show. The other actors they have brought in since he left has been like a revolving door. They are there for a season or two, but the show has not been the same since he left. I LOVE Stabler, and can’t wait for him to come back to his role. I met him in real life in #MobileAlabama and he was the nicest person. I am a huge fan, and will tune in to watch him reprise his role!!🥰
8 2
-
R
Wonder how they are going to explain on the spin-off that Stabler didn't quit his career as a cop after all. Elliot has been gone for years perhaps they should of created a Elliot Stabler spin-off sooner.
6
-
B
Yes. I have heard of people coming out of retirement, but how to explain his rise in the ranks? Wouldn't he have to be an inspector: two levels above a captain? And those jobs tend to be desk jobs. Who will he beat up: his office computer?
1
-
-
P
IM SOOO DAMN HAPPY RIGHT NOW..I COULD KISS STAPLER IN THE MOUTH..LOLOLOLOL
6 1
-
P
Don't see Benson as smug - let's tear a strong woman down - she is an awesome woman!
5 1
-
W
This might be good. I really didn't, and still don't, like watching the smug Hargitay, so seeing Meloni in his own show might be something worth watching. The show I really wanted to succeed was 'Surviving Jack'. I thought he was just hilarious in that.
8 4
-
P
Awesome!!! He's Great!!! Loved "Happy" Too!!! Amazing in "OZ"!!!! I think it was called "Wet, Hot Summer" or something like that ~ Hilarious!!!
6 2
-
P
Yes this is great news for us Fan's and remember he also star in my other show (True Blood)!
7 1
-
-
R
I am thrilled. I love Chris Meloni and his character Elliott Stabler and can’t wait to see him back in action on a Dick Wolf show. They are the best!,
3
-
R
I have MISSED CHRIS so very much and I really haven't got in to the Law & Order SUV since he left. Don't get me wrong I love Liv, Ice-T, and a couple others but it just hasn't been the great show with great chemistry as before. Can't wait till this fall. Hope to see Elliott and Olivia together again with Ice -T.
3
-
R
no more money and a "movie career" never began.
2
-
B
He was the best havent watched the show sence he left just reruns .will be glad to see him again..
2
-
C
Gross! He is so ugly and his personality makes me sick!
2
-
B
I quit watching the show the day stabler left. Iwill only watch it when its on ion television if stabler is in them and now that he is back i will be watching it for now on. Producers need to quit killing off and forcing main characters to leave shows, it makes fans not watch the shows and their ratings to go down. People start watching shows because they like them and they watch em with the beginning characters.
2
-
P
So glad he has returned !!!!!
-
B
I'm a huge Stabler fan. Can't wait to see how the new storyline unfolds. Since the Wolf franchises are known for crossovers, I would totally love to see a Stabler and Hank Voight team up.
-
O
I’m so happy to read this. I’ve missed his character from the minute he left.
-
B
Loved Stabler in SVU and everything I have ever seen him in. He reacts to situations like a human should and would react in a situation.
-
B
Great, can’t wait for him to return.
-
B
I love and is big FAN of All Dick Wolf Productions.
Hooked on All and Especially SUV...Can Not Wait to see Elliott again🥰😍
-
G
Sweet Jesus! I never ask for much. World peace, be healthy and Elliot Stabler back in Law & Order!
-
O
My favorite show. I love Stabler and Benson. So Happy can’t wait to watch. I watch reruns over and over and over again. ❤️ this show so much.
-
B
Yay
-
O
Yay So looking forward to Stabler coming back 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
-
O
When does he start coming on the show I can't wait
-
P
When will his show air
-
C
The best news we are so excited Stabler hands down is one of the best characters written on T.V. and played the best by the amazing Christopher Meloni!!!! Love this so much, it’s been a long time coming!!!! Show all these T.V. cops and detectives what a true one is made of!!!! ❤️❤️❤️ This, it will truly be amazing, SVU was never the same show without Detective Stabler, who by the way also made the show with Detective Benson, so happy he us getting the recognition he deserves with his own spinoff!!!!
1
-
B
Welcome back
1
-
R
I’m so Happy. He is coming back. I love him. I hope that he will have a romance with Olivia would love to see them two together as lovers and partners
1
-
R
I love law and order svu. I was sad when elloit left but Olivia took her next steps to being the captain and what a captain she is. And now to have elloit by her side once again wow can't wait yay
Thank you
1
-
C
Ugh...I must be the only one who's NOT glad he's coming back. I really liked Meloni at first but it got a little old with him feeling that he needed to "protect" Olivia.....he got too bossy and ignored his own family.
2
-
B
Won't be watching now that Meloni has made it clear that he hates President Trump and detests all of us who support him. Why would I watch someone who has such contempt for me?
5 8
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services