Sine it became known that Chris Meloni was leaving Law & Order SVU, fans have been guessing at who would fill the spot, well fans need wait no more, Law & Order: SVU has found two new detectives for the show’s upcoming 13th season: Kelli Giddish and Danny Pino.
Deadline reports that the Cold Case hunk was among the top five favorites who auditioned for the role. Pino, 37, is also known for his role as Desi Arnaz in Lucy: The Lucille Ball Story. Former Chase star Giddish, 31, will play a detective on the show as well.
“Kelli and Danny are two great actors who will join a proven cast headed by Mariska Hargitay as this exceptional series heads into a very promising 13th season,” NBC Entertainment chief Bob Greenblatt said in a statement. SVU’s executive producer/creator Dick Wolf added, “I’m very pleased that we have two amazing actors joining the cast. I know this combination will give us the opportunity to explore the world of SVU with new eyes.”
Law and Order: SVU begins filming their new season today at Chelsea Piers in NYC.
The news about Chris Meloni leaving & Mariskas reduced role is very dis-heartening to me! I’ve watched & loved this show for yrs, they dynamic these two had between themeselves is irreplaceable! I watch this show every chance I have from reruns on USA to watching it weekly during the new seasons. This is by far my favorite show & a lot of this is because of these 2 characters/actors! I love “Fin & Munch” as well as the other regualr cast but I truly feel that this will not help the show in anyway. There’s a reason its had such great ratings & reviews along with a very loyal fan base of watchers…Stabler & Benson are a lot of that reason! I know it is for me as well as anyone I’ve talked to since it was rumored this change was happening…
While I wish the best to Chris in his future endeavors & am glad that Mariska will be able to spend more time with her family, they will be greatly missed by all! I just don’t see the show doing anywhere near as well as it has the last 13 yrs without these two people having the leading roles…sorry, that’s just the way I feel about it. I will continue to watch while Mariska is on the show but don’t know that I will after she’s “gone”… It wasn’t the same when other actors hage taken parts w the lead like Danni a few yrs back. I don’t like those episodes anywhere near as much as I do w Chris & Mariska together. They have a great chemistry that has made this show what it is! You both will be missed by my husband & I!
I believe there is an error in this article. Mariska Hargitay has signed on for all 22 episodes of Season 13, according to new executive producer, Warren Leight. Her role will be reduced after 13 episodes in order to give Hargitay more time off, as she requested. However, and this has been a source of some confusion all over the Internet, Hargitay WILL be appearing in ALL 22 episodes of Season 13.
Mariska is signed for all 22 episodes…her role will only be somewhat scaled back after episode 13.
Susan and Linds are correct. Warren verified on Twitter that Mariska will be in all 22 episode but after episode 13, Olivia (her character) will be promoted and her screen time will be cut back. This is per Mariska’s request so that she can spend more time with her family.