Christopher Meloni to reprise Law & Order: SVU role for new spin-off series

Christopher Meloni is set to reprise his role as Elliot Stabler for a Law and Order: SVU spin-off.

Meloni starred alongside Mariska Hargitay for the first 12 seasons of SVU. His character was written off at the start of season 13, when Stabler made the decision to retire from the force. However, it looks like the fan-favourite character will be out of retirement soon. Deadline report that the series - which will be based in New York - will see Stabler lead a unit in the NYPD's organised crime unit. NBC has given the currently-untitled crime drama a 13-episode order. And we'll admit it: we're keeping our fingers crossed that there will be some kind of crossover with SVU. We would love for an on-screen Benson and Stabler reunion - and they are both based in New York, after all... Showrunner Warren Leight previously spoke to E! about the possibility of Meloni returning to SVU - and it looks like it's good news for fans (especially with the new series confirmed). "It's interesting to me. As long as the show is running, I feel like we will—someday, I would hope to see him again," he said, ahead of Law & Order: SVU's 21st season premiere. "I don't know how, I don't know when, but, yeah, that's kind of, I think the fans and Benson and Stabler are owed that."