The actress who plays Detective Benson in Law & Order: SVU has signed on for a thirteenth season, but it’s reportedly her last with an A-list actress possibly taking her place in the next season.

Deadline reports:

Just in time for NBC’s upfront presentation on Monday, Law & Order:SVU star Mariska Hargitay has closed a new deal to return to the crime drama for its upcoming 13th season, in which she will pass the female lead baton on a new actress. I hear Jennifer Love Hewitt is being courted for the gig though no formal offer has been made. Meanwhile, SVU’s leading man Christopher Meloni still has no deal for next season.

Going into the contract negotiations, Hargitay had asked to scale back her workload on the show. The producers granted her request, and she will work fewer hours at her previous salary of about $385,000 an episode ($400,000 with backend and other payments included.) For the first 13 episodes, Hargitay’s character Olivia Benson will continue to solve sex crimes alongside her partner, presumably Elliot Stabler (Meloni), pending him closing his deal. Then Benson will be promoted to a supervisor position, with a new female detective taking her place. That is the role that the producers are eying Hewitt for.

We have a hard time picturing SVU without Detective Benson since she has been such a great part of the show. On the positive side, Jennifer Love Hewitt would probably be a great replacement!