Mariska Hargitay of “Law & Order: SVU” fame and Chris Meloni, her former co-star, have a close relationship outside of work. What the fans really want to know, though, is if their characters, Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler, are going to get together on either of their current “Law & Order” shows. Pictures like the one Hargitay posted recently are only stoking the curiosity flames.
Will Hargitay’s Benson become a fixture on Chris Meloni’s new show? Will Meloni’s Stabler make further appearances on “Law & Order: SVU” like he did this past season? It’s hard to know. What we do know is that the pair enjoy keeping up with one another via Facetime. Hargitay posted a screenshot from a face-to-face conversation they shared recently.
We also have the benefit of seeing Season 1 of “Law & Order: Organized Crime.” Chris Meloni made his return to the Dick Wolf-produced multiverse in a multiple-episode arc on “Law & Order: SVU” to help promote his new show. Following those appearances, Hargitay returned the favor. Olivia Benson was featured in five episodes of “Organized Crime” Season 1.
Season 2 is right around the corner. And IMDb has Hargitay listed as a cast member in the premiere, which is set to air in September. The same is true for Meloni, who will appear as Stabler in the first installment of “Law & Order: SVU” Season 23.
What’s more, fans of the former partners have speculated that they might finally be ready to pursue a romantic relationship. Stabler’s wife is no longer in the picture, her murder being his motivating factor in “Organized Crime.” So it would seem the timing has never been better in terms of availability.
The ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Stars Have Entertained the Idea of Their Characters Being Involved Romantically
From the time Hargitay and Meloni did their first screen test together, their chemistry was obvious. It’s the main reason they ended up partners on “Law & Order: SVU” in the first place. And from the first episode in 1999, fans have been compelled by the will-they-or-won’t-they dynamic between them.
“Obviously, we recognized it when we were together on SVU,” he said. “We were always kind of toying with that, leaning into that, teasing with that,” Meloni told People in April. “I think we’re going to stumble bumble, as I think most human beings do, through complicated areas or difficult terrain, emotional terrain.”
For the first decade they worked together, it was only ever a professional relationship. They had the occasional moment of tension. But it was just enough to keep the fans hooked. Now that Stabler is a single man, things have changed. Though, he says there’s a lot of emotional work to be done before they cross that bridge.
“I think they have a lot of understanding and a lot of healing to go through before things get back to a state of normalcy or understanding, where they are in their lives and how each other, truly, deeply fit in with each other,” Meloni told People in May.