According to Deadline, NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has appointed Michele Fazekas (Gen V, Marvel’s Agent Carter) as the new showrunner, marking her return to the series after nearly two decades. Fazekas will replace David Graziano (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Day Break) who has served as the showrunner or the past three seasons and will wrap up his tenure with Season 26. While the series has not yet been renewed for the 2025-2026 season, Deadline reports that a renewal is widely expected.
Fazekas’ appointment is historic, making her the first female showrunner in the 26-year history of SVU. The series, which centers around female empowerment through its iconic lead, Mariska Hargitay (ER, In the Heat of the Night) will continue her role as Captain Olivia Benson as well, will now be under the leadership of Fazekas, who previously worked as a writer-producer on the show from Seasons three to seven. “As I see it and look back, Olivia Benson is sort of a perfect feminist story because we actually see this woman grow into her power,” Hargitay told Today last year, as reported by Deadline.
This move comes after Fazekas wrapped up her work as the executive producer and showrunner on the second season of Gen V for Sony Pictures TV and Amazon MGM Studios. Deadline notes that Fazekas opted to make the shift after finishing her commitment to the Gen V series, with the renewal for third season expected only after the launch of Season two in late summer or early fall. The opportunity to return to SVU, a series she had helped shape early in her career, was an offer she couldn’t pass up.
With a career full of successful shows, including Reaper, Emergence, and Marvel’s Agent Carter, Fazekas brings extensive experience to her new role. As reported by Deadline, she and her longtime writing partner Tara Butters (Emergence, Reaper) previously earned two WGA Award nominations for their work on SVU, where they rose to co-executive producers. Now, Fazekas is poised to lead the show into a new era, blending fresh perspectives with the series’ well-established legacy.
As SVU wraps up Season 26 under Graziano’s leadership, the transition to Fazekas’ direction is expected to bring a renewed vision to the show, continuing its legacy of addressing important social issues. With SVU likely to be renewed for the next season, the future looks promising under its new female showrunner, who has already made a significant mark in the world of television. Deadline reports that the series is expected to maintain its critical role in American television, particularly in how it portrays justice, resilience, and empowerment.