Law and Order: SVU Kelli Giddish

Former Law & Order: SVU showrunner Warren Leight weighed in on Kelli Giddish's announcement that she's leaving the series after 12 seasons.

[Christopher Meloni](https://www.eonline.com/news/christopher_meloni) left Law & Order: SVU in season 13 [because of a contract dispute](https://www.eonline.com/news/1296185/christopher-meloni-finally-reveals-the-truth-about-his-law-order-svu-exit). He's since returned to the franchise, [reprising his role as Elliot Stabler ](https://www.eonline.com/news/1073438/law-and-order-svu-s-mariska-hargitay-and-christopher-meloni-reunite-ahead-of-history-making-season)in the spin-off Law & Order: Organized Crime, has made occasional appearances on SVU. [leaving the series](https://www.eonline.com/news/1343354/law-order-svus-kelly-giddish-is-turning-in-her-badge-after-12-seasons-as-rollins) in the upcoming season, the writer took to Instagram to reflect on his experience working with the actress on the show. "Writing for Kelli Giddish was an unmitigated joy," Leight [wrote](https://www.instagram.com/p/ChsB6QPL_QP/?hl=en) Aug. "I'm saddened by her looming exit. Writer David Graziano has since taken over as showrunner, but indicated he's not behind Giddish's surprise exit.

The announcement of Kelli Giddish's exit from Law & Order: SVU after 12 seasons sent shockwaves through the L&O online community yesterday.

“She is, without a doubt, one of the finest industry professionals I’ve come across in my 24 years of writing television. “You might take a moment to entertain the idea that things are more complex than they appear in a world of emojis and tweets. The announcement of Kelli Giddish’s exit from Law & Order: SVU after 12 seasons sent shockwaves through the L&O online community yesterday.

Well, this is a shocker. Kelli Giddish's departure from Law & Order: SVU was not her decision, it has been revealed. Get the details...

I’ve been so fortunate to be a part of the Law & Order family for the last 12 years." “All I’ll say is Kelli has handled this with the most incredibly classy comportment. [Kelli Giddish's imminent departure](https://www.tvfanatic.com/2022/08/former-law-and-order-svu-showrunner-reacts-to-kelly-giddish-exit/), a surprising new revelation has come to light.

It was reportedly not her decision, nor was it a decision from the new showrunner, David Graziano. Giddish announced Wednesday that she was leaving SVU after 12 ...

[Producer Julie Martin](https://popculture.com/tv-shows/news/law-order-svu-writer-teases-happy-ending-for-rollins-and-carisi-amid-kelli-giddish-exit/) promised a " [happy ending](https://twitter.com/JulieMartinNY/status/1562514323410661376)" for the couple on Twitter. [Graziano eventually responded to fans](https://popculture.com/tv-shows/news/law-order-svu-showrunner-responds-to-fan-outcry-after-kelli-giddishs-exit-announcement/), saying the situation was "more complex" than it appeared. [Amanda Rollins](/category/amanda-rollins/), just hours after [NBC released a trailer for the first three-show crossover](https://popculture.com/tv-shows/news/law-order-svu-organized-crime-crossover-teases-intense-3-show-event-new-trailer/) in Law & Order history. [Olivia Benson](/category/olivia-benson/)'s life. [Variety](https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/why-is-kelli-giddish-leaving-law-and-order-svu-1235350955/) late Thursday. [Kelli Giddish's exit from](https://popculture.com/tv-shows/news/law-order-svu-kelli-giddish-amanda-rollins-leaving-series-12-seasons/) the long-running show, the reason for the sudden turn of events is becoming clearer.

The actress, who joined "SVU" as Amanda Rollins in 2011, announced her exit earlier this week.

California is preparing to spend up to $20 million to bring women from other states to its abortion clinics. The policy is aimed at increasing access to a ...

And stay tuned for more news on Season 24 of NBC's long-running crime drama as it gears up to bid farewell to Giddish's character. Law ...