After lengthy negotiations between NBC and producer Dick Wolf, a deal has finally been made for veteran procedural Law & Order: SVU to return for a 16th season. Original cast member Mariska Hargitay has not yet inked a new deal to continue on the drama, but is expecting to shortly.
The renewal keeps the Law & Order franchise going at NBC and Wolf will continue to have three series airing on the network: SVU, Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D.
In its 15th season, SVU is averaging a 1.8 rating in the Adults 18-49 demographic, down slightly year-to-year but jumping on average 56 percent after seven days of delayed viewing to a 2.7.
Season 15 also said goodbye to original cast members Richard Belzer and Dann Florek, with both characters retiring from the police force this year meaning both can still appear on the long-running procedural on a recurring basis.
Hargitay, Ice-T, Danny Pino, Kelli Giddish and Raúl Esparze star on the drama. Warren Leight will continue on as executive producer/showrunner for the 16th season.
