“Something Appealing About a Flawed Hero”: Law & Order’s Christopher Meloni Breaks Down His Character’s Longevity From ‘SVU’ to ‘Organized Crime

The undertaking of returning to a character after an absence can be daunting for any actor. When Christopher Meloni left Law & Order: Special Victims Unit after 12 seasons of playing Detective Elliot Stabler, the character’s departure was abrupt, and had lasting effects for seasons to come, particularly on Mariska Hargitay‘s Olivia Benson. In Season 22 of SVU, Meloni and his character made a shocking return to the franchise in the episode “Return of the Prodigal Son” before going on to lead his own show, Law & Order: Organized Crime. Now, ahead of being honored at the North Fork TV Festival, Meloni talked with TV Insider about returning to the character.

“It’s very interesting to play a character and then go away from him and do other things and then come back in a little bit of a different world, a darker world, edgier world with Organized Crime. He was introduced in SVU. I guess there is something appealing about a flawed hero. It feels like it has made New York my home. It has made New York my own personal small hometown. That’s the best feeling in the world. I fell in love with the city as soon as I got to New York. A full 16 years before I got Elliot Stabler. It just solidified my relationship with the city.”

Christopher Meloni Shares His Hopes to Continue Playing Elliot Stabler

When Law & Order: Organized Crime began in 2021, the series, like SVU and the original Law & Order, aired on NBC. Last year, it was announced that the series would move to Peacock for its fifth season. After more limbo, the series finally got an April 2025 premiere date and the fifth season has just concluded. The series has not officially been renewed for a sixth season, but Meloni shared with TV Insider his hopes for the potential Season 6, as well as how he thinks the show handled the move to Peacock. “I hope it’s something that pushes the boundaries, provocative storytelling in this crime-family drama,” he says. “I hope all the actors that surround me have a larger slice of the pie because I think ensemble pieces appeal to me.”

Organized Crime takes full advantage of exploring this new version of Elliot Stabler, the older, (only slightly) more reserved and seasoned detective, while still leaning into the “flawed hero” that Meloni speaks of. In addition to seeing the members of the Organized Crime Control Bureau take down a dark criminal underworld, there is a beautiful intermixing of the personal and familial scenes with Elliot’s family whether that’s the impeccable comedic timing of the sibling squabbling between Elliot and his brother Randall (Dean Norris) or the tender moments between Elliot and his mother Bernadette (Ellen Burstyn). Meloni says:

“I think there is more room to tell stories in the dynamic and relationships. I feel we did it this year. We took advantage of the Peacock platform, which allows for a little more elbow room for storytelling. I hope we continue that trend.”

You can watch past episodes of Law & Order: Organized Crime and SVU on Peacock. Stay with Collider for the latest updates.