Mariska Hargitay - Attribution: Daniel Ogren (CC 2.0 generic)
“For the past 12 years Chris (Meloni) has been my partner and friend, both on screen and off,” Mariska Hargitay tells TV Line. “He inspired me every day with his integrity, his extraordinary talent and his commitment to the truth.”
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Christopher Meloni left the show this week because of stalled contract negotiations.
Meloni and Hargitay starred together with that first Law & Order in 1999.
Hargitay‘s character will be trimmed, according to The Hollywood Reporter, writing that NBC entertainment boss Robert Greenblatt said that the series will “still be compelling but a little more grounded,” and that they will “reset the tone” of the shows. With that in mind, Warren Leight will be the new showrunner to carry out the instructions.
“I love him deeply and will miss him terribly,” Hargitay says. “I’m so excited to see what he’ll (Meloni) do next.”
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” the ghost of Mark Twain warns studio bosses wanting to fool with successful shows.