‘Law & Order: SVU’ season 16: A look to the show’s future
How long can a series like “Law & Order: SVU” last? The obvious answer here is “a rather long time,” given the fact that we are already a whopping 15 seasons in. There are only a select few who make it this far, and even fewer who keep chugging on, and feeling just as good about themselves as they ever have.
One person who is clearly pleased with the show’s trajectory is someone who really matters: Creator Dick Wolf, who is still involved with the series even though Warren Leight is the primary showrunner. Speaking to Digital Spy in a new interview, he made a very bold statement that “this last season of SVU was probably the best in 10 years.” While we’ve already made our opinion clear on the William Lewis storyline being a little too extreme for our taste, we are still inclined to agree with him in between the classic cases and Mariska Hargitay giving an Emmy-worthy performance.
If this same level of quality continues, Wolf still believes that there is a lot of life in the show left, even to the point where it could make it to the same 20-year mark that the original “Law & Order” achieved:
“If we can keep doing that every year – if [showrunner] Warren Leight can keep up the marathon pace – you never know what’s possible. I’d love it to happen.”
Could we see the show doing 20 seasons? Sure, but above all, we want it just to last as long as Mariska wants to be a part of it. While the team was able to survive without Christopher Meloni in the cast, we feel like losing her at this point, given how iconic a character Olivia Benson is, would be a little too much for the series to overcome.
Photo: NBC
rosa hardin
July 13, 2014 @ 8:36 pm
i aint goin lie im team mariska she is the best! i love her on and off screen i problly wont watch the show if she was to leave but i will give it a chance if they are able to get someone worthy of fillin her shoes and thats not going to be easy but i just wish mariska the best do you boo take care of your family and you first much luv your num one fan rosa hardin
Carla Sposito
June 27, 2014 @ 2:29 pm
Oh God! I love SVU and love Mariska. She is amazing as Olivia Benson. Mariska is so credible, so true to his character, I do not know if I still assitiria SVU without her being present. But I understand if she wants to leave. She has a family with small children who need it. I like Kelly Gidish but not seen with the charisma needed to replace an actress like Mariska. I wish you all the happiness in the world next to her husband. He has a beautiful family.
worthymagic
June 27, 2014 @ 1:43 am
I’m glad that David Wolf realizes that replacing Mariska Hargitay will be difficult. That’s why he has to get busy NOW and start looking for another major actress to either cover the episodes Mariska might not want to do(if She is really tired) or someone to eventually replace her. You don’t wait until a bulb dies before you get another; you get a backup ready so that you are never in the dark. Kelli Giddish is the same age as Mariska was when She started on SVU, and Kelli already has 3 years under her belt. Connie Nielsen, Kristen Lehman(currently on an ABC show), Ashley Judd, Melina Kinkardares, are all or may be available to join the show. Nielsen already did a whole bunch of SVU episodes. Remember when everyone said CSI was done when William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger left? Josh Charles left The Good Wife; it didn’t die. Pablo de Cote and Sasha Alexander left NCIS; still going. Mariska Hargitay is great, but she is all we know. All of you who will give up after Mariska leaves, bye bye.
Guest
June 27, 2014 @ 1:26 am
I agree as long as Mariska is willing and able to I will be happy . Olivia Benson is the heart of SVU and a role model to so many xx