After last week’s sudden (shocking and heartbreaking) news that Christopher Meloni has left Law and Order: SVU, his co-star Mariska Hargitay (Detective Olivia Benson) has finally spoken out on the abrupt departure, expressing her devastation quite publicly.
In a statement to TV Line, the actress revealed that “For the past 12 years Christopher Meloni has been my partner and friend, both onscreen and off. He inspired me every day with his integrity, his extraordinary talent and his commitment to the truth. I love him deeply and will miss him terribly – I’m so excited to see what he’ll do next.”
Heartfelt. (And sad face.)
Meloni’s departure comes as a result of contract negotiations gone horribly awry, and it means that the end of this season was the last time we were privy to a glimpse of Detective Stabler in his natural element. (Unless they work out some miraculous guest-starring comeback. And I mean, hell-o ratings.)
What’s even more interesting is that after the next season, Hargitay’s contract is also up, and not only might she be making an exit, but the Ghost Whisperer herself (Jennifer Love-Hewitt) is rumoured to take her place. (WHAT?!)
True, the show’s a hit, but doesn’t everyone understand that it’s popularity is likely based around a certain Stabler-Benson connection and that without them, Ice-T’s just not going to cut it? Or maybe we’ll all be proven wrong. After all, The Ghost Whisperer lasted more than two seasons, and it’s safe to say nobody really saw that one coming.
