‘Law & Order: SVU’ showrunner departing at end of season 17

While “Law & Order: SVU” has been renewed for an 18th season already, we’re now getting some news about what is for sure going to change.

According to a new report from Deadline, showrunner Warren Leight is departing the series at the end of this season, and will be going off to work on some future projects under his deal with Sony Pictures Television. You can see one of his many messages regarding the news on his Twitter account HERE. Meanwhile, Rick Eid has been named the new showrunner. He is returning to the Dick Wolf franchise after previously serving as a co-executive producer on the original “Law & Order” series.

In a statement, Wolf had the following to say:

“I’m extremely pleased that Rick had decided to rejoin the family and hope that he will be here for years to come.”

We’re going to miss Leight on the series, given that he has helped to oversee the creative direction following the exit of Christopher Meloni, and help to keep it as a cultural institution. He has worked to merge the series with the “Chicago” franchise, and crafted some emotional arcs for Olivia Benson that included the adoption of Baby Noah, the William Lewis saga, and also the one happening at present that led to her being transferred out of the SVU. We’ll have some other information as to where that story is going at the end of the month.

The finale of season 17 will more than likely air in May, while season 18 will premiere this fall.

(Photo: NBC.)