Law & Order: SVU season 21: Showrunner wants to make record-breaking season happen

Is it really possible for there to be a Law & Order: SVU season 21 coming up on NBC? The closer we get to it, and the more it starts to feel as though this could actually become a thing. The historical significance here cannot be overstated — if SVU does make it another couple of seasons, it surpasses the original Law & Order and Gunsmoke to become the longest-running scripted drama series in history.

Will a Law & Order: SVU season 21 actually happen, though? Nothing’s guaranteed, but showrunner Michael Chernuchin is game to give it a go.

Speaking on this subject to Entertainment Weekly, Chernuchin had the following to say on the idea of the series getting to that point:

“I am writing toward more … I’m hoping that we break the record and go 21 seasons. I honestly don’t see why we can’t. I think we’re the most relevant show on television right now. We’ve been doing it for 19 years and we’re still relevant more than ever.”

In terms of its ratings there is absolutely no reason to doubt the future of SVU, given that to date season 19 is averaging a strong 1.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic. This helps to keep the show as one of NBC’s highest-rated dramas, and to go along with that it’s only down 3% year-to-year in the demo. In terms of total viewers season 19 actually up a tick versus the season 18 average.

Of course, Chernuchin is also right on the money when he talks about the show’s relevance in 2018. We haven’t even gotten to the point yet where the show can really reference the #MeToo movement, as most of the installments to air the past month or two were written before it officially began. There is obviously, and unfortunately, plenty of terrible real-life circumstances that can be mirrored through the stories. With that, SVU can try to be a beacon of awareness in addition to a source of compelling television.

We should learn about an SVU season 20 renewal later this year — unless something shocking happens the next two months, that feels like a given. It’d be great if NBC were to go ahead and greenlight the series for two more, but that feels unlikely in this day and age. This is probably a year-to-year decision for some of the actors to remain on the show, and two-season renewals are for the most part extremely rare.

Do you think that a Law & Order: SVU season 21 can happen over at NBC? Be sure to share some of your thoughts on the matter now in the comments!

(Photo: NBC.)