LOS ANGELES, California (X17online) - Christopher Meloni will not be returning to the NBC series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit this fall due to a contract dispute.

The 50-year-old actor and Universal Media Studios could not agree on a new contract, but NBC and the studio have yet to officially comment.

For thirteen seasons, Meloni portrayed Detective Elliot Stabler, a family man and veteran of an elite team which specializes in investigations of sex crimes.

Mariska Hargitay plays his partner, Detective Olivia Benson, who will be back for the upcoming season.

According to reports, series creator Dick Wolf is already looking for Meloni's replacement.