Christopher Meloni says an emotional goodbye to Stabler and “Law & Order: Organized Crime”: 'It was a great ride'
Christopher Meloni says an emotional goodbye to Stabler and “Law & Order: Organized Crime”: 'It was a great ride'
Derek LawrenceFri, April 17, 2026 at 4:45 PM UTC
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Christopher Meloni on 'Law & Order: Organized Crime'Credit: Virginia Sherwood/PEACOCK via Getty -
Law & Order: Organized Crime was canceled after five seasons.
Christopher Meloni posted an emotional goodbye to his character, Det. Elliot Stabler.
Meloni called his 17 seasons of Law & Order a "great ride."
After a run that spanned over 30 years, Christopher Meloni is sharing an emotional goodbye to Det. Elliot Stabler.
Meloni's Law & Order: Organized Crime was canceled on Thursday after five seasons, and so, for now, this is it for Stabler, the iconic cop character that Meloni began playing when Law & Order: Special Victims Unit premiered in 1999.
“Hey everyone, I just saw that they announced OC, Organized Crime won’t be coming back,” Meloni said in an Instagram video. “So I wanted to take this moment to say thank you to the fans, who not only helped give the character of Elliot Stabler life and longevity, but for sticking with him and welcoming him back.”
Christopher Meloni at the 2025 EmmysCredit: Amy Sussman/Getty
Meloni and Mariska Hargitay launched SVU as Stabler and Det. Olivia Benson, and the duo became the beloved partnership of the Law & Order universe. But that dynamic was suddenly ripped away when Meloni departed SVU in 2011.
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He eventually reprised the role with the 2021 launch of Organized Crime, which found Stabler coming back to the force and working to bring down New York's most dangerous organized crime syndicates. The spinoff moved from NBC to Peacock for season 5, and the cancellation news is less than surprising considering its been almost a year since the now series finale aired.
"I had a great time playing him," Meloni said, seemingly becoming overwhelmed by his emotions. "It was a great ride. But thank you. You helped give me a career that I never dreamed of."
Hargitay shared her support in the comments, writing, "P4L," likely meaning, "Partners for Life." And with SVU renewed for a 28th season, there's definitely room for Stabler and Benson to partner back up.
In the meantime, Meloni is next hitting the gridiron as one of the stars of Hulu's football drama The Land.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
