Meloni & Hargitay sign on for more Law & Order: SVU
Well, that's a relief. After months of speculation that NBC would be bringing Law & Order: SVU back for the 11th season without the two stars that have anchored the show, there's good news. Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni have re-signed with SVU. They pair agreed to stick with NBC's top-rated Neilsen drama for two more seasons. Good news is probably an understatement. It's really great news because with SVU moving to Wednesday, 9 p.m., the show really didn't need to shake up the cast at this point in time. Stability mattered and NBC found a way to bring the two stars into the fold, offering them both the flexibility they sought.
That's not the only development out of SVU. There's also an addition to the show and a return. Emmy-award winning actress Christine Lahti is going to appear in a four-episode stint, and Stephanie March is back as former A.D.A. Alexandra Cabot. Ms. March, a.k.a. Mrs. Bobby Flay, did a few episodes last season -- when her character left the Witness Protection Program -- and has inked a deal for 10 shows in the new season. No word on whether Food Network's busiest Bobby is going to appear as a killer chef with a sexual predilection for jalapeno peppers.
It seems that NBC realized that it had a lot to lose by shaking things up too much with SVU. Considering the changes in store with the Leno at 10 p.m. plan, NBC dramas cannot afford to be treated with disrespect. SVU has always delivered consistent, high quality, and based on today's news, it should continue to do so.

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