‘Law & Order: SVU’ season 17: Mariska Hargitay definitely on board
While there was probably never any real doubt here as to whether or not this was going to happen, it is still nice to get a little bit of official word now: Mariska Hargitay is going to be returning for the 17th season of “Law & Order: SVU.”
This news was tucked away today in a new report from Deadline, discussing the many ways in which shows have to prepare for possibilities revolving around one or two potential series leads running away. This is something that “SVU” faced years ago when Chris Meloni opted to depart, but this show has managed to figure out how to stay strong and has found new, interesting challenges for Olivia Benson now that she is the series’ sole lead.
There was never any real doubt about whether or not Hargitay would return for another season. She had expressed hope that she would earlier this year before the season 17 renewal was official, and we never heard anything that she was considering saying goodbye. Benson has become an iconic TV role, and given the actress’ involvement in the Joyful Heart Foundation and as an advocate against domestic violence, being a part of this show is one of the best possible platforms for her to continue to do good work.
The great news that comes with Hargitay making an early decision is that it doesn’t force the show to sweat anything out. Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion have yet to sign new deals with “Castle,” and “Bones” and “Criminal Minds” are each facing lengthy contract negotiations with some of their stars.
(Photo: NBC.)
Michael Goldman
April 12, 2015 @ 1:35 am
There was never any doubt that Mariska was coming back. Normal people don’t walk away from $400,000+ an episode contracts. The rest of the cast is the worry. Kelli Giddish and Danny Pino made practically nothing on their 1st 4-year deals. Raul Eaparza and Peter Scanavino are making less than Kelli. Ice-T has missed so many episodes this season that I can’t figure out what his contract is paying him for. There is a recent Hollywood Reporter article that leads me to believe that Danny Pino may be on the way out. I hope I’m wrong. Kelli and Danny should be looking at $200,000 an episode or more. If NBC doesn’t want to pay for this show, pay everyone extremely well as a good-bye present, and then let it go somewhere else. SVU may not have the top ratings of all the NBC dramas(I’m sure it’s The Blacklist or Chicago Fire) but this is NBC’s STAPLE SHOW, just like NCIS is CBS’s Staple Show. You pay the people for that show because it’s the one that gets viewers no matter what. I know Warren Leight is leaving after season 17, which is why I’m scared that next season could be SVU’s last. NBC can’t afford to end this show. If they think that they can, then the wrong people are making the decisions at NBC. Maybe NBC should change its letters to NBI, because a decision to end SVU would be made by people who are NOTHING BUT IDIOTS!
Mareike
April 10, 2015 @ 3:12 pm
I knew a long time that Mariska in the 17 season is back again. She tweeted it about 2 months ago.
Bridgette Rodriguez
April 10, 2015 @ 12:25 pm
She will never leave SVU voluntarily because she will never make the money she is making on SVU acting on any other show or movie. Money, people, money is what motivates many people and keeps them in their $12 million dollar houses and apartments and…
KR90
April 10, 2015 @ 3:48 am
Does anyone know if the other cast members have signed contracts? I heard somewhere that Ice T has, but I have heard nothing on the others.
Michael Goldman
April 12, 2015 @ 1:53 am
Everybody else on the show will have their contract end after season 16. NBC has cut the payroll on SVU for the last 4 years, and Kelli Giddish and Danny Pino made practically NOTHING in their first 4 years on the show. Nothing means that they were paid in the $75,000-$115,000 per episode. Danny was paid more than Kelli. the was an article in The Hollywood Reporter that gave me the feeling that Danny Pino may be on the way out. I hope I’m wrong. If Kelli Giddish isn’t back next season, then I will be finished with SVU and NBC, and anything I write about the network after that will be to try and convince others to also stop watching NBC until it is sold to people who actually want to run a network where quality programming is more important than lining their pockets.
Jim45
April 10, 2015 @ 12:15 am
2 seasons ago she signed for somewhere around $350k per episode. What’s she getting now?
Michael Goldman
April 12, 2015 @ 1:38 am
SHE IS MAKING OVER $400,000 AN EPISODE. She was making $400,000 an episode in season 12, but now she is also credited as a producer. I’m sure that means at least another $25,000-50,000 per episode.
JS Mc
April 10, 2015 @ 12:03 am
Glad to know OFFICIALLY she’s coming back!!! She IS the show…JMO
Michael Goldman
April 12, 2015 @ 1:46 am
That’s the problem. When Warren Leight was brought in to be the show runner in season 13, he made the show almost all Mariska and practically nobody else. It should have been a lot more Kelli Giddish, Danny Pino, Ice-T and Richard Belzer. Now if Mariska decides to leave, the show would be in big trouble because NOBODY at NBC has the balls to give it a year or two with Kelli Giddish and Danny Pino(and obviously others) helming it. Maybe CBS might give it a try. They renewed Madam Secretary, which will be the WORST renewal of the last 5 years unless NBC renews THE SLAP or THE MYSTERIES OF LAURA. Then CBS is off the hook.
Suen Smith
April 9, 2015 @ 11:56 pm
LOVE MARISKA SOO MUCH????????????