What 'Organized Crime' Moving to Peacock Means for Bensler's Future
Stabler and Benson in an 'Organized Crime' / 'SVU' crossover.
Many Law & Order fans were disappointed to learn that Organized Crime is moving to Peacock for Season 5 instead of being paired with SVU on NBC. The move to the streaming network makes it more complicated for Organized Crime and SVU to do crossovers, but fans shouldn't worry too much.
Erin Underhill, President of NBCUniversal Television, told fans during the ATX Festival's Presidential Forum: On TV, the Industry, and What's Next panel on Friday that they very much want to stay in the business of Law & Order crossovers, even if it's more complicated now. She specifically mentioned that dedicated fans of the Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) make it worth putting the crossovers together.
Related: 'Law & Order: Organized Crime' Moves From NBC to Peacock: Everything to Know About Season 5
"I think Benson and Stabler in particular is a relationship that people care about. I got an email from a viewer who was talking about how she has been watching Benson and Stabler for 20-plus years and what it’s meant to her and her sister. It was so beautiful and poignant," Underhill said. "We know that when we do something, specifically with [Organized Crime] and SVU, it’s bold. It’s a lot of time, a lot of effort, a lot of preparation, a lot of money, but it is something that delivers every time. So we do plan to do more of that."
Related: In the Sweet Spot! Christopher Meloni Shares His Thoughts on 'Bensler' and Stabler's Evolution
Underhill's fellow panelists also discussed what makes crossovers worthwhile. Katherine Pope, who now oversees Sony Pictures Television but used to work at 20th Century Studios, said unexpected crossovers have a lot of value.
"I remember how we did a Brooklyn Nine-Nine and New Girl crossover, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine was not produced by 20th Century, but they were both on Fox," Pope explained. "It was the same kind of thing where you’re just working with different shows, and you’re trying to work the smartest way to get these actors to work together. It’s a lot of logistics, but it’s for the fans, and that’s why you do it. That’s why the actors do it. It’s a lot of work for them—they are kind of shooting two episodes at the same time—but things like that are fun for them."
So what would you like to see in the next Law & Order crossover?
Both shows will return this fall.
