NBC Renewal Status Report: One Chicago, ‘Law & Order’ Franchise, ‘Lopez vs. Lopez’, ‘American Auto’ & More
25.03.2023 - 00:11
/ deadline.com
Reboots have been hot on NBC this season, with the two freshman followups to classic TV series, drama Quantum Leap and comedy Night Court, both already picked up for a second season.
For the first time in years, NBC faces renewals of its four top rated dramas, Dick Wolf’s Chicago Franchise and Law & Order: SVU, whose three-season pickups are all coming to an end. I hear negotiations are already underway, and the goal is to again secure multi-season renewals for all four shows.
That is considered attainable as the biggest obstacle for hit long-running shows usually is cost, and Wolf is known for keeping his productions on tight budgets.
That sometimes is reflected into how long actors stay on his procedurals, with cast turnovers used as both a way to keep shows fresh creatively and keep costs in check.
Of course, there are a handful of actors who are indispensable, with Law & Order: SVU star and executive producer Mariska Hargitay topping the list. She needs a new deal to continue on the series she has led for the past 24 seasons; I hear noone anticipates any issues with that.
As for the “newer” Law & Order kids on the block, the revival of the mothership series, which is in its second season and the series’ 22nd overall, as well as Law & Order: Organized Crime, now in Season 3, I hear one-season renewals are more likely.
The duo is right behind “The Big 4” (Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med and SVU) ratings-wise, with Law & Order pulling in more live viewers and Organized Crime getting a bigger delayed viewing lift.
Still, the two shows may need longer track record before being considered for multi-year renewals, and Organized Crime, which is breaking ground with serialized storytelling not usually associated