"Law & Order: SVU" stars renew contracts

from variety

Hargitay, Meloni up for more 'SVU'
Deal gives both stars substantial raises
By JOSEF ADALIAN

NBC and Dick Wolf have averted a casting crisis on "Law & Order SVU,"
inking series stars Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni to rich
two-year deals.

Peacock is keeping mum on the financials, but insiders said the new
pact gives both stars substantial raises over their existing deals,
with annual salaries of more than $6.5 million each. It's believed
that with the bump, Hargitay will become one of - if not the ---
highest-paid actress in network TV.

That would put her paycheck in the $300,000 to $340,000 per seg range.
Given their co-lead status, it seems likely Meloni's paycheck is in
the same range as Hargitay's.

Like NBC, Wolf's camp wouldn't discuss money, but Wolf did issue a
statement confirming the actors would be back.

Producer said he's happy "that Chris and Mariska have decided to stay
with a show that they've made an indelible stamp upon as we move into
our 9th season."

Anticipating a deal was close, NBC last week announced that "SVU"
would be coming back next fall.

Talks with Hargitay and Meloni have been ongoing for weeks, leading to
plenty of tabloid speculation about the fate of "SVU." Unlike the two
other flavors in the "L&O" brand, the actors on "SVU" are considered
far more central to the show's success.

One NBC insider recently conceded to Daily Variety that it would be
hard to imagine the show--the top rated of the three "Law & Order"
skeins--- being as successful without Hargitay and Meloni on board.
And "SVU" showrunner Neal Baer has often mentioned how crucial the two
stars have been to the show.

Even with the raises, "SVU" is in no danger of becoming a money loser
for NBC. Skein is produced effeciently as part of the Wolf Films
factory in Gotham, and its ratings have remained strong, keeping it in
the top tier of network dramas.

Both Hargitay and Meloni have been on "SVU" since it premiered in
1999. Hargitay has won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her work on the
show, while Meloni has been nommed for an Emmy.

Hargitay is repped by WMA, while Meloni is repped by Gersh.