A pair of Dick Wolf primetime dramas are undergoing a behind-the-scenes shuffle ahead of next season.
Warren Leight, a “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” veteran who previously ran the show between 2011 and 2016, is now set to return to the NBC procedural as executive producer and showrunner. He will replace current “SVU” showrunner Michael Chernuchin, who will move to CBS’s “FBI” as executive producer.
In addition, Chernuchin has signed an overall deal with Universal Television, which produces both shows, as well as the rest of Wolf Entertainment’s output.
Leight became the “SVU” showrunner beginning with its 13th season, which came immediately following the departure of lead Mariska Hargitay’s longtime co-star Christopher Meloni. He stayed on for five seasons until exiting in 2016.
Leight also serves as co-creator and executive producer on another upcoming “Law & Order” spinoff, “Law & Order: Hate Crimes,” which was ordered to series last fall but has since been delayed.
“SVU” and “FBI” have both been picked up for the 2019-20 season by NBC and CBS, respectively, with the former on pace to become the longest-running live-action primetime series in history with 21 seasons.
“FBI” — starring Missy Peregrym and Zeeko Zaki as FBI special agents — is currently in the middle of its freshman season.