Christopher Meloni has a message for Elliot Stabler fans: “Thank you… for sticking around and welcoming him back.”
The “Law & Order: Organized Crime” star took to Instagram on Thursday to express her gratitude for her character's long run in the franchise after it was revealed that the NBC show had been canceled after five seasons.
“I just saw they announced… 'Organized crime' will not return,” Meloni said in his video post. “So I wanted to take this moment to thank the fans who not only helped bring life and longevity to the character of Elliot Stabler, but also for sticking with him and welcoming him back.”
Meloni's career as a seasoned detective began on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” which premiered in 1999. Stabler investigated “particularly heinous” New York sex crimes with partner Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and other detectives in her unit during the show's first 12 seasons. (The character was written out of the show before the season 13 premiere because Meloni and NBC couldn't come to an agreement on a new contract.)
Stabler returned to “SVU” in 2021 for a crossover event that helped launch “Organized Crime,” a “Law & Order” spinoff focused on New York police officers tracking down “vicious and violent members of the underworld.” While the character has occasionally appeared in episodes of “SVU” since his return, the end of “Organized Crime” likely means Meloni will no longer play Stabler full-time, at least for now. Meanwhile, “Law & Order: SVU” has been renewed for a 28th season.
“I had a great time playing with him,” Meloni said in his Instagram message. “It was a great journey. Thank you. You helped me have a career that I never dreamed of. Almost 17-odd years.”
