'Law & Order: SVU' Alum Christopher Meloni Returns to the Show Next Season as Elliot Stabler

Recently “The Law & Order: SVU Podcast” revealed that Christopher Meloni would be returning on “Law & Order: SVU.” The alum would feature in the current season reprising his old character.

On the latest season of "Law & Order: SVU" Meloni will be coming back to the show as Elliot Stabler. During a behind-the-scenes podcast for the show, the showrunner Warren Leight confirmed the news.

Leight said: "It’s pretty clear that Elliot will be in the 'SVU' season opener. I think that much I know." Besides coming back to the show, Meloni is set to play the detective in a spinoff that is focused on his character.

MELONI TO STAR IN SVU SPINOFF

In the spinoff, Meloni will lead the NYPD organized crime unit. NBC ordered the spinoff at the end of March 2020.

In the new show, the actor won’t be starring alongside his old onscreen partner Captain Olivia Benson played by Mariska Hargitay. Meloni and Hargitay started on the long-running series in 1999 when it premiered.

WHEN DID CHRISTOPHER LEAVE SVU

The former left the show in 2011 after its 12th season. Leight also discussed the initial plans to bring back Kathy Stabler (Isabel Gillies) in the season 21 finale of SVU.

SVU PRODUCTION HALTED

Production for the series had to shut down because of the worldwide novel coronavirus pandemic. At the time, the team was in the middle of shooting episode 21 of the series.

PLANS FOR SEASON 21 AND 22

Leight said there may be a sum of season 21’s 23rd episode in season 22. He also explained that the plan for the finale could be reduced to a teaser in the upcoming season.

MARISKA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH MELONI

Even though Meloni left SVU a long time ago, he and Hargitay maintained the friendship offscreen. In April 2020, the actress took to social media to wish her former co-star a happy birthday.

WELCOMING CHRISTOPHER BACK

She also welcomed him home referring to the news that Meloni would be headlining a Dick Wolf SVU spinoff. “Law & Order: SVU” has been renewed through to season 24 on NBC.