Report: Chris Meloni to Leave Law & Order: SVU

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Chris Meloni will reportedly not return to the show this fall, sources said Tuesday. Talks between Meloni and NBC Universal broke down Tuesday, sources said, and franchise director Dick Wolf said he is already searching for a big-name to star opposite Mariska Hargitay. Despite this, NBC boss Robert Greenblatt said he felt the talks with Meloni were in “pretty great shape” last week. The show, which will begin its 13th season in the fall, has already begun searching for replacements for Hargitay, who is scheduled to leave midway through the season. Greenblatt said the network is in talks to have Jennifer Love Hewitt replace Hargitay when she leaves the show.