Michele Fazekas Becomes First Female Showrunner of ‘Law & Order: SVU’

NEW YORK, NY – NBC‘s long-running series ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit‘ has appointed Michele Fazekas as its new showrunner, marking a historic moment as she becomes the first female to lead the 26-year-old series. Fazekas’ tenure begins as she replaces David Graziano, who has held the role for the past three seasons.

Fazekas, who previously worked on ‘SVU’ from 2001 to 2006 as a writer and co-executive producer, brings extensive experience to the role, having most recently served as the showrunner for the upcoming second season of Prime Video’s ‘Gen V.’ Her appointment is seen as a progressive step for the beloved franchise, which features Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson, a character that has become emblematic of female empowerment in television.

“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 stated in a 2024 interview. The series focuses on the New York City Police Department’s Special Victims Unit, an elite squad dedicated to addressing sexual crimes, child abuse, and domestic violence.

‘Law & Order: SVU’ holds the distinction of being the longest-running live-action primetime series in American television history, highlighting the importance of its narrative in contemporary culture. Graziano will continue to oversee the current Season 26, which has not yet been renewed for a 27th season, although this is expected.

During her earlier stint with the show, Fazekas co-wrote 19 episodes and, alongside her writing partner Tara Butters, ascended to co-executive producer. Their work was recognized with two WGA Awards nominations. Fazekas adds this new leadership role as she reflects on her career, which has included creating and producing series such as ABC’s ‘Marvel’s Agent Carter’ and ‘Emergence.’

Fazekas’ return is particularly notable for reflecting the increasing representation of women behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. Her background includes working under a Sony deal, with her decision to transition to ‘SVU’ occurring as ‘Gen V’ awaited renewal for its third season.

The series’ producer, Universal Television, alongside Wolf Entertainment, is expected to continue its support for ‘Law & Order: SVU,’ which has been a mainstay on NBC since its premiere in 1999. Dick Wolf, the creator and executive producer of ‘SVU,’ praised Fazekas’ return, emphasizing her unique vision as essential for the show’s evolution.

With its rich history and dedicated fanbase, ‘Law & Order: SVU’ is poised to continue exploring complex issues surrounding crime and justice in the upcoming seasons under Fazekas’ leadership.