
Christopher Meloni is resurrecting Law & Order: SVU character Elliott Stabler for a new untitled crime drama from Dick Wolf. This is the first of Wolf’s five-year overall deal with Universal Television.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Special Victims Unit detective Stabler will run an NYPD organized crime unit in the new drama. The series received a 13-episode first-season order. Former Chicago PD showrunner Matt Olmstead will serve as both head writer and showrunner. Currently, Law & Order: SVU is in the midst of its 21st season, setting a new record for a live-action primetime TV drama.
Meloni suddenly departed from the cast at the end of the twelfth season, which saw Stabler abruptly retire from the police force off-screen during the Season 13 premiere.
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Meloni, who is also well known for his role on the HBO drama Oz, has starred in a number of projects since leaving SVU. He has starred in shows such as Happy! at Syfy and Underground at WGN America. He also appeared in multiple episodes of Pose and The Handmaid’s Tale, and lent his voice to the Harley Quinn animated series at DC Universe as Commissioner Gordon.
Another spin-off, Law & Order: Hate Crimes, has been in development at NBC for some time; that project may now move to the forthcoming NBCUniversal streaming service, Peacock.
SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter