Earlier this week it was announced Christopher Meloni was receiving a Law & Order: SVU, for his character Elliot Stabler.
And now, the long running show’s showrunner, Warren Leight revealed that he will also be returning for some of the show’s 22nd season to connect the two shows.
Speaking on a behind the scenes podcast for SUV, Leight shared the news, posted Friday.
Returning: Chris Meloni will return as Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: SVU after it was announced the character was receiving a spinoff
‘It’s pretty clear that Elliot will be in the SVU season opener. I think that much I know,’ Leight said.
Adding that at the time it seems only Elliot will be returning, with his family uncertain, saying: ‘whether we’ll get to see his family as well remains to be seen.’
It is currently unknown when the new season for SVU will film as the coronavirus pandemic has shut down Hollywood productions. Earlier this year SVU was picked up through its 24th season.
Meloni played Stabler on the show’s first 12 seasons from 1999 until 2011. He left the show following contract disputes ahead of the 13th season.
Long running: Meloni played Stabler on the show’s first 12 seasons from 1999 until 2011. He left the show following contract disputes ahead of the season 13, the show is now in its 21st season
The actor, 59, went on to star in True Blood’s fifth season in 2012 and had a single season show of his own, Surviving Jack in 2014.
Reprising his role as Gene from Wet Hot American Summer he joined the rebooted TV show, First Day of Camp and starred in the series Underground.
Deadline reported NBC picked up his spinoff earlier this week.
The series does not yet have a title, but NBC is committed to running with it as the network has approved a 13 episode order already.
Congrats: Deadline reported earlier in the week that NBC picked up a 13-episode spinoff series for his character Elliot Stabler. Seen in April 2019
It is not known when this series will air, however, as the coronavirus has held back TV production.
The new series will be set in New York City and it centers on the New York Police Department organized crime unit, which is run by Stabler.
The 6ft tall actor may have some guest appearances by his longtime L&O: SVU costar Mariska Hargitay who still plays Olivia Benson on the show.
His time: Meloni left Law & Order: SVU after season 12 when his character – who is married with five kids – suddenly quits the police force. The show is currently on its 21st season. Seen with Jennifer Love Hewitt on the episode titled Behave
For Meloni’s departure from SVU his character Stabler suddenly quits the police force.
This new series is from Law & Order creator Dick Wolf who has a five year deal with NBC Universal.
He is executive producing with Arthur W. Forney and Peter Jankowski.
Wolf has six scripted shows on the air: NBC’s Law & Order: SVU, Chicago PD, Chicago Fire and Chicago Med; and CBS’ FBI and spinoff FBI: Most Wanted.
There is another SVU spinoff called Hate Crimes, which may debut on NBCU’s upcoming streaming service Peacock that is supposed to start in April.
Family man: Chris has been married to 60-year-old Sherman Williams since 1995 and together they have two children: Sophia, 19, and Dante, 16
The shows that have renewed for 2020-2021 include The Blacklist, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, New Amsterdam, Superstore and This Is Us.
And the new shows include Young Rock (starring Dwayne Johnson), the untitled L.A. mayor comedy (featuring Ted Danson) and The Kenan Show, which is being redeveloped.
Chris has been married to 60-year-old Sherman Williams since 1995 and together they have two children: Sophia, 19, and Dante, 16.
The star has been posting images to social media as he self-isolates.