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Meloni leaving 'SVU' after 12 seasons

Actors Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay of the tv series: Law and Order Special Victims Unit arrive for the NBC tv promotional "up fronts held for their various shows on Bravo, Sci Fi,Telemundo and Mun2 at New York's Rockerfeller Plaza on May 12, 2008.(UPI Photo/EzioPetersen)
Actors Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay of the tv series: Law and Order Special Victims Unit arrive for the NBC tv promotional "up fronts held for their various shows on Bravo, Sci Fi,Telemundo and Mun2 at New York's Rockerfeller Plaza on May 12, 2008.(UPI Photo/EzioPetersen) | License Photo

NEW YORK, May 24 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Chris Meloni is leaving the police procedural series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" after 12 seasons, NBC said Tuesday.

The Hollywood Reporter quoted Bob Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, as telling advertisers in New York the network has plans to "reset the tone" of the show, which co-stars Mariska Hargitay.

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Warren Leight, who is replacing Neal Baer as showrunner this fall, intends the stories to be "compelling but a little more grounded," Greenblatt said.

The Hollywood Reporter said NBC is looking for an actor to replace Meloni after lengthy negotiations failed to produce a new contract amenable to Meloni and the network.

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