‘Law & Order: SVU’: The longest-running live-action series
Law & Order: SVU is making TV history in 2019-20. NBC has renewed SVU for a 21st season, pushing it past the original Law & Order and Gunsmoke to make it the longest-running prime-time drama ever.
“We tip our cap to [creator/executive producer] Dick Wolf, Mariska Hargitay and the amazing cast and crew of SVU, who now all go into the record book,” said Paul Telegdy and George Cheeks, co-chairmen of NBC Entertainment. “This incredible run is an example of what happens when producers, writers and actors all come together and create a show that, year after year, speaks to its audience in a powerful way. We couldn’t be more proud of this remarkable achievement.”
Mariska Hargitay will continue her run as Lt. Olivia Benson, the longest-running female character in a live-action primetime series. The current cast also includes Ice T as Sgt. Odafin “Fin” Tutuola, Kelli Giddish as Det. Amanda Rollins, Peter Scanavino as Det. Sonny Carisi, and Philip Winchester as Asst. District Attorney Peter Stone.
“I’m deeply proud to be a part of this groundbreaking show, and humbled to make television history today,” Hargitay said in a statement. “The longevity and continued success of SVU is a testament not only to the show’s powerful storytelling and ability to connect with viewers, but to its necessity. We have told important stories for 20 years, and we will continue to tell them.”
SVU premiered in September 1999 and has racked up 452 episodes. The Law & Order franchise — the original series, SVU, Criminal Intent, Trial by Jury and Law & Order: LA — has produced more than 1,100 episodes of television.
“We want it to be so special,” said showrunner Michael Chernuchin. “We want it to go another five or six years, but becoming the longest-running show in history, we’re all building towards that.”
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit airs Thursdays on NBC.
Sources: EW, NBC Entertainment
When Beth “grows up” she wants to see her creations appear on the screen and stage. In her free time, Beth blogs about her love of craft beer and writes screenplays. She received her bachelors in journalism from Youngstown State and received her masters in communication from The University of Akron. She is honored to be a part of the FanFest family.
