NBC Renews 5 Dramas for 2015-2016 Season

Law & Order: SVU will return for a landmark season 17

By Chris Harnick Feb 05, 2015 7:04 PMTags
LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNITMichael Parmelee/NBC

NBC has handed out early renewals to five of its dramas—did your favorite make the cut?

The Blacklist will be back for a third season along with Chicago PD and Chicago Fire. Friday night mainstay Grimm will return for a fifth season and Law & Order: SVU will return for a landmark season 17.

"The creative vision of the executive producers who've guided these outstanding dramas has been nothing short of incredible," Jennifer Salke, president of NBC Entertainment, said in a statement. "We're highly appreciative of the passion they bring to their shows at every step of the creative process and we're thrilled to reward that dedication with these renewals."

Law & Order: SVU is the longest-running drama on TV. The show is averaging a 2.5 rating in the key 18-49 demographic and 9.5 million viewers, up 10 percent when compared to last season. Last season the renewal for SVU came down to the wire as negotiations between the network and producers dragged on. Series star Mariska Hargitay, who has been with the show since the start, will return. "Yes, Mariska will be around for #SVU17," executive producer Warren Leight tweeted. "How could she not?" Hargitay responded to Leight's tweet and said, "Oh I'll be there...with bells on!"

The Blacklist, which just moved to Thursdays at 9 p.m., is averaging a 5.1 rating and 17.4 million viewers. Chicago Fire has an average rating of 2.8 and 10.1 million viewers and Chicago PD has a 2.3 average rating and 9.4 million viewers. NBC is also looking to add a third spinoff, Chicago Medical, to the suite of Chicago-set dramas.

Grimm has averaged a 2.1 rating and 7.2 million viewers, an impressive feat for a Friday series.

(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)