Healthier Hargitay Back For Another Season Of SVU

Mariska Hargitay, who was hospitalized twice and operated on for a collapsed lung earlier this year, has committed to another season of NBC's Law & Order: SVU, a rep for producer Dick Wolf said.

Chris Meloni, who plays her partner, the enigmatic Det. Elliott Stabler, also inked for another year; Variety reported that it is believed each will earn about $400,000 an episode this season.

Both will be on hand, show spokeswoman Pam Golum said, when taping resumes next week in New York.

There was some doubt as to whether the stars of the ratings goldmine would return after their contacts simultaneously expired after last season. Hargitay reportedly asked for work flexibility to be written into her contract regarding her aforementioned health problems.