Chris Meloni was ‘not prepared’ for the positive fan reaction

Law & Order: Organized Crime premiered on April 1, 2021, bringing back Christopher Meloni as his iconic character, Elliot Stabler. Fans were so vocally thrilled that Meloni admitted that he was “not prepared” for it, according to People.

Meloni reunited with Mariska Hargitay in the spinoff, and at a press conference, he said that she was less shocked by the fan reaction because she stayed in the Law & Order world. “It was pretty overwhelming,” Meloni said of the fan response. “I think [Hargitay] was expecting it more than I was, because I think she’s been in the Law and Order stew, she’s been in that world continuously for the 20 years. I was not prepared. It’s overwhelming and it’s wonderful and it’s very appreciated.”

On Twitter, someone responded to Meloni’s surprise about fan enthusiasm: “Man did [Chris Meloni] underestimate how much he means to fans and how iconic Elliot Stabler is, or what? Attention and excitement well deserved, Sir!”

Another fan tweeted: “I’m so excited! It’s great to see Benson and Stabler together again! I’ve waited 10 years for this!” And someone else captured what we’re all thinking: “It’s like no time has passed.” Hear that, Meloni? It’s good to see you back.

As of April 2021, Meloni has returned to his famed role in the “Law and Order” franchise through the spinoff, “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” sharing the screen with Dylan McDermott. While the details of his salary for the spinoff remain undisclosed, it’s speculated that he’s earning a substantial amount, especially considering his departure from SVU after its 12th season stemmed from a contract disagreement. Reportedly, Meloni and Hargitay were earning about $395,000 per episode, as per TV Guide. When negotiating for the 13th season, Meloni was offered $8 million annually, which would have resulted in a 25% reduction in his pay, an offer he declined, leading to his exit from the show, as reported by Today.

Meloni has described his exit from the series as “inelegant” (People) and expressed regret over not providing fans with a proper farewell for Stabler. His character’s abrupt disappearance at the start of the new season left many fans disappointed. Nevertheless, Meloni’s return to the franchise signals not only a comeback for the beloved character but also a nod to his significant primetime earnings.