NBC Exec: SVU Will Return "With or Without" Its Two Leads

NBC has officially made it clear that Law & Order: SVU will continue on the network with or without leads Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni.

"The show is coming back; we hope they come back with it," said Marc Graboff, co-chairman of NBC Entertainment, at Monday's upfront presentations.

Hargitay and Meloni are currently renegotiating their contracts with the network, and sources have characterized the discussions as aggressive. Asked if SVU would cast new leads if those contract talks stall, Graboff added only, "The show's coming back — with or without them."

Is this just a shrewd negotiation strategy on NBC's part or might they actually recast? Stay tuned. Representatives for both Hargitay and Meloni did not immediately respond to TVGuide.com's requests for comment.

In the meantime, though, we ask: Would you watch Law & Order: SVU with new lead detectives?

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