After calling recent reports of his departure “lies, all lies,” it appears Christopher Meloni will indeed be leaving Law & Order SVU.
Contract negotiations with NBC broke down earlier this week, and Meloni handed in his badge after 12 years of playing Detective Elliot Stabler.
“For the past 12 years Chris Meloni has been my partner and friend, both on screen and off. He inspired me every day with his integrity, his extraordinary talent and his commitment to the truth. I love him deeply and will miss him terribly – I’m so excited to see what he’ll do next,” said Mariska Hargitay in a statement to TV Line.
Hargitay will also be exiting the show midway through season 13. Jennifer Love Hewitt is reportedly replacing Hargitay’s Detective Olivia Benson.
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