"Law and Order: SVU" fans everywhere are breathing one big sigh of relief. Series star Mariska Hargitay told reporters at the Television Critics Association winter press tour that she's staying with the long-running police procedural after this season ends.
"I'll be back. I can't leave this show," Hargitay said in a taped message that can be seen below. "I'm having too much fun."
In September at a press conference on the "SVU" set, Hargitay told reporters she was open-minded about her future with the series. Speculation regarding Hargitay's tenure with the show ran rampant after Christopher Meloni decided not to renew his contract and left the show after Season 12.
"I'm going into this with a completely open mind," Hargitay said about Season 13. "What I've learned is you don't know what the future brings and everything is new. Everything is fresh."
Hargitay's Detective Olivia Benson is getting a new love interest. TV Guide reports Harry Connick Jr. will guest star in a Season 13 multi-episode arc as Executive Assistant District Attorney David Haden. Connick's character is assigned to work on a case with Benson.
Danny Pino and Kelli Giddish joined the cast of "SVU" for Season 13 as two new detectives. The current season also saw the show welcome back former stars Stephanie March and Diane Neal as their ADA characters.
WATCH: Mariska Hargitay's "SVU" announcement.