Ilene Chaiken Inks Overall Deal With Universal Television, Joins ‘Law & Order: Organized Crime’ As Showrunner

EXCLUSIVE: Jonathan I. Kidd and Sonya Winton-Odamtten, co-executive producers and writers of HBO’s critically acclaimed woke sci-fi horror Lovecraft Country, have extended their overall deal with the premium cable network for four years. Under their re-upped eight-figure deal, the pair will develop the limited series Say Their Names.

The Keepers of the Keys will continue as Netflix has handed supernatural thriller Locke & Key a third season.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterVivian Cannon has been upped to the head of Universal Television’s drama development unit, stepping into the role previously held by now-president Erin Underhill.Underhill was elevated to president of the Universal Studio Group’s TV arm following Pearlena Igbokwe’s ascent to chairman of Universal Studio Group in September.Calling Cannon “sharp, passionate and tenacious,” Underhill praised the exec’s deep bench of talent relationships and leadership skills in an email

It’s a busy day at NBCUniversal with more promotions and departures.

EXCLUSIVE: DreamWorks Animation has extended its relationship with Joel Crawford, director of The Croods: A New Age. The studio has made a first-look development and directing deal with Crawford, an animation vet, in a deal made by Margie Cohn, President, DreamWorks Animation. This comes after the Croods sequel was released in theaters and will be premiering on Premium VOD on Friday.

Will Thorne Staff WriterBruce W.

EXCLUSIVE: Liza Koshy, co-creator, executive producer, and star of YouTube series, Liza on Demand, has signed an overall deal with Westbrook Inc., the recently launched media company founded by Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Miguel Melendez, and Ko Yada.

EXCLUSIVE: Prolific TV creator Matt Miller is extending his long relationship with Warner Bros. TV by renewing his exclusive overall deal with the studio. As part of the new pact, Miller will executive produce Peacemaker, HBO Max’s TV spin-off of James Gunn’s upcoming The Suicide Squad movie, starring John Cena. The eight-episode series hails from Gunn, producer Peter Safran and Warner Bros. TV.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterKatori Hall has signed an overall deal with Lionsgate Television.Hall currently serves as creator, executive producer, and showrunner on the Lionsgate-produced series “P-Valley,” which recently aired its first season on Starz. The show is based on Hall’s stage play “Pussy Valley.” Under the deal, Hall will continue to executive produce the “P-Valley” and develop and produce new premium scripted series for Lionsgate across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterIlene Chaiken has signed an overall deal with Universal Television, Variety has confirmed. As part of the deal, Chaiken has joined the upcoming NBC show “Law & Order: Organized Crime” as executive producer and showrunner.Chaiken takes over showruner duties on the series from Matt Olmstead, who stepped down in October.

Law & Order: SVU fans have a lot to look forward to! OG cast member Christopher Meloni is returning to the franchise and reprising his iconic role as Elliot Stabler in the new spinoff, Law & Order: Organized Crime. The actor gave fans the first look at his time on set, posting a photo of his character’s tattoo to Instagram on December 8. “#firstdayofschool,” he captioned the snap, which showed a USMC tattoo, representing Elliott’s former role in the United States Marine Corps.

Rangers administrator, a court has heard. Ex-Duff & Phelps executive David Grier is suing the Crown over “wrongful arrest” during a probe into alleged wrongdoing at the Ibrox club.

Chris Meloni is back in Elliot Stabler's shoes.The alum shared the first photos of his anticipated return as the beloved character on Tuesday evening, as he kicked off the first day of filming on the NBC procedural in New York City. He reprises his role as Stabler for the first time in almost a decade.Meloni's appearance on season 22 of will lead into the spinoff, which is debut sometime in 2021.

Katy Wallin and Stephanie Bloch Chambers, who run unscripted producer Wallin Chambers Entertainment, have extended their overall deal with Lionsgate.

Will Thorne Staff WriterMike McMahan, the creator of “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” is cementing his future at CBS Studios.The writer and producer has inked a new two-year overall deal with the studio. Under the pact, CBS Studios will have the exclusive rights to produce all TV content created and developed by McMahan.News of the deal comes exactly two months after “Lower Decks” wrapped its 10-episode first season run on CBS All Access.

Elaine Low Senior TV Writer“Game of Thrones” and “Lord of the Rings” writer-producer Bryan Cogman has struck a multiyear overall deal with Entertainment One, which follows his most recent overall at Amazon Studios.Under the terms of the agreement, he is set to develop scripted television and new media projects for eOne.

Rachel Kaplan is heading back to Warner Bros. Television after striking an overall deal with the studio via her new production company.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRachel Kaplan has signed a multi-year overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group, Variety has learned.Kaplan, the former head of Keshet Studios, is also launching her own production company — Absecon Entertainment. Under the deal, she will develop and produce original scripted programming to be produced by Absecon in association with Warner Bros.

Christopher Meloni’s return to is getting closer. His former co-star, Mariska Hargitay, teased their anticipated reunion on the NBC drama by posting a photo of Meloni sitting in on a virtual table read.

Solving any incident involves evidence. Fans of Law & Order: SVU now have all the evidence they need about a special return, thanks to a tweet and Instagram shot of a virtual table read helmed by show star Mariska Hargitay and showrunner Warren Leight.