'Law & Order' Turns 30 — Look inside One of the Most Popular Crime Dramas in the History

Much loved police and legal drama series, "Law & Order," recently celebrated 30 years - announcing the shooting of Season 22 of "SVU" and the return of detective Stabler.

Actress and executive producer, Mariska Hargitay, shared a photo of her script and the entire cast conducting a practice read via Zoom on her Instagram page.

Hargitay is just as excited as fans were to get back on screen, following the shutdown of media productions in March owing to the coronavirus.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Running for 30 years, the show continues to tell thought-provoking, controversial issues. Showrunner Warren Leight said:

“There are ways, we will find our way in to tell the story. Presumably our cops will still be trying to do the right thing but it's going to be harder for them and they're going to understand why it's hard for them."

Created by Dick Wolf, the police and legal drama officially premiered in 1990. Since then it has gone on to add successful spin-offs like "SVU" which is currently shooting Season 22.

RETURN OF DETECTIVE STABLER

Christopher Meloni, who played detective Stabler, will be featured in a spin-off, "Law & Order: Organized Crime". He leads the organized crime division of the NYPD.

The series will continue to profile stories that made headlines, like the coronavirus, police brutality as experienced by George Floyd.

Meloni described his comeback to the show as a piece that fell into place. The series has received a 13-episode order from Universal Television.

FORMING LONG-LASTING FRIENDSHIPS

Meloni and Hargitay share a friendship born on the set of the series. He says they share an inextricable link, making them good friends, adding that they value each other.

Hargitay posted a picture of the co-stars on her Instagram page, exciting fans. The post left fans wondering what was next for the co-stars and their characters.

Showrunner Warren Leight said the series will continue to profile stories that made headlines, like the coronavirus and police brutality as experienced by George Floyd.

Television producer, Dick Wolf, will executive produce the show alongside Arthur W. Forney and Peter Jankowski on a signed five-year deal with Universal Television.

The "Law & Order" franchise is the first show to come out of the deal Wolf signed with the Television production company earlier this year. Stabler's spin-off - meant for fall 2020 - will be released in 2021.

Meloni is enthusiastic about the show saying he believes Stabler is in a better place concerning his personal life. He says that the character is experiencing a changed world with policing and the citizenry.