Fans of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit long ago gave up hope of Christopher Meloni returning as Elliot Stabler, which only makes it that much more exciting that the actor will not only be reprising the role but starring in an entire spin-off focused on his character.
Meloni starred on SVU for the NBC procedural's first 12 seasons as Det. Elliot Stabler, whose friendship and partnership with Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson was one of the show's biggest hooks.
But in 2011, Meloni shocked viewers when it was announced that he wouldn't return for the 13th season after his negotiations with the studio fell apart.
As a result, the Season 12 finale doubled as Stabler's final episode, and viewers never got a proper goodbye for the beloved