Neal Baer confident over Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Future

Law and Order: SVUDeparting Law & Order: Special Victims Unit showrunner Neal Baer is confident over the shows future and believes NBC will order a 13th season of the crime/legal drama.

 

Law and Order: SVUDeparting Law & Order: Special Victims Unit showrunner Neal Baer is confident over the shows future and believes NBC will order a 13th season of the crime/legal drama. The Law & Order franchise in America isn’t as strong as once was with the demise of the parent series last year and the news that fellow spin-off Criminal Intent has only been renewed for a final season. Meanwhile new entry in the franchise Law & Order: Los Angeles is under going a “creative re-gig” which has seen several actors released from the cast – to bump up ratings. Despite the troubles within the rest of the franchise SPV’s Neal Baer is pretty confident over its future.

 

“I would say that chances of renewal are very good, given that it’s the highest-rated drama on NBC. [SVU] did really well last week, beating two first-runs on competing networks….That shows that there’s huge interest. It’s a real phenomenon if you think about it. Our researchers at NBC tell us we have 53 million unique viewers on average a week, across all platforms — that would include USA, syndication off-network and originals. So one-out-of-six people is watching the show still… in year 12! That’s so gratifying.” – Neal Baer speaking to TVLine

 

Perhaps one stumbling block to renewal is the contracts for lead stars Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni – both of which expire at the end of the current series. TVLine reveal that NBC have begun early talks with both actors about extending their contracts – a good sign for SVU’s future.

 

“They’re as committed to playing Olivia and Elliot as they were the first day I walked in and saw them in the interrogation room. It’s an amazing thing that never lags. Mariska and Chris are so professional and the ultimate artists in that they’re there to realize their characters, making them as strong, believable and compelling as possible. – Neal Baer speaking to TVLine

 

Another strong indication that NBC is committed to its future is the fact the broadcaster are looking for Baer’s successor as showrunner on the series. So while other Law & Order shows are having a bumpy ride at the moment fans of SVU can rest assured the series is almost certain to be back for a 13th season.