While NBC has cancelled the original Law & Order, the network isn’t about to let Law & Order: Special Victims Unit go. It’s one of their highest-rated shows in the target demographic.

Law & Order: SVU revolves around the detectives and prosecutors associated with the New York City Police Department’s 16th precinct. Castmembers have included B.D. Wong, Christopher Meloni, Dann Florek, Ice-T, Mariska Hargitay, Richard Belzer, Stephanie March, Tamara Tunie, Adam Beach, Diane Neal, Michaela McManus, and Michelle Hurd.

The series began back in September 1999 on NBC. It registered as the 40th most-watched show of the season and was still renewed. In year two, it moved up to #25 and then peaked in season three, at #14.

The cop drama’s essentially been in decline ever since but, considering the poor shape of the rest of NBC’s schedule, it’s still a top performer for the peacock network.

To no surprise, NBC has renewed SVU for next season. No word on when season 12 will debut but the network is supposed to release its schedule on Sunday.

What do you think? Are you happy to hear that SVU return for season 12? Is it the best of the franchise or is there a better one?

Image courtesy NBC.