Christopher Meloni attends the 2011 Joyful Heart Foundation Gala at The Museum of Modern Art on May 17 in New York. (WireImage)
Chris Meloni, who has played Detective Stabler since the 1999 debut of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” will leave the show, TVLine reported Tuesday.
The television news site reported that contract talks between the actor and NBC broke down Tuesday, leaving the show without a male lead going into its 13th season.
Show creator Dick Wolf is reportedly already looking for a recognizable actor to replace Meloni opposite Mariska Hargitay.
Hargitay has already signed on to return for season 13.
But it also looks like Hargitay may be leaving the show, possibly in the middle of the season.
NBC may bring in Jennifer Love Hewitt to replace her, TVLine reported.
With the dismal failure of Law & Order: Los Angeles and now this, is this the end of the L&O franchise? Share your comments below!
Whatever the contract talks consisted of between Christopher Melloni and NBC-TV the are stupid to let Det. Stabler leave SUV Olivia&Stabler, are SUV and NO ONE can replace either actor at any price, and I am sure that is what Chrisopher Melloni left over is money.NBC-TV your tight purse strings have ruined one of the BEST SHOWS ON TV. You should change your Network name to ESN-TV (‘EBENEZER SCROOGE NETWORK’)