Law & Order: SVU fans have been eagerly anticipating the moment when Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler take their relationship beyond the friend zone. Mariska Hargitay, who brings Benson to life, recently expressed her excitement about the possibility of their bond becoming official after more than 25 seasons of undeniable chemistry.
“God, yes,” Hargitay revealed to Entertainment Tonight. “There is no show in the history of television where characters have been together so long that the relationships are truly earned, truly organic. Chris and I can go to places that no one else can because we lived it. Everything is so much deeper.”
Ice-T, who plays Finn Tutuola on the series, shares Hargitay’s sentiments but admits he’s “given up” on waiting for Benson and Stabler to get together.
“Ice doesn’t care. I’ve given up on them. I’m a viewer. So, I’m watching them like, ‘Get to it! Get to the business! Stop playing around,'” he joked. “‘If you love her, Elliot, let’s get it going now!’ Finn just wants Olivia to be happy. He’s gonna hold it down. He knows Elliot. Elliot’s his man, too.”
He added with a laugh, “But as a viewer, I’m like, ‘Y’all need to just hit a motel or something and make it happen.'”
Benson and Stabler’s partnership in Manhattan’s Special Victims Unit spanned 12 seasons, filled with smoldering and fraught moments. Since Christopher Meloni launched the Stabler-centric spinoff, Law & Order: Organized Crime, in 2021, fans have been hopeful for a romantic resolution.
During a February 2023 appearance on the Today show, Hargitay hinted that fans might finally see Benson and Stabler get their happily ever after in future episodes of SVU. “Benson and Stabler love each other deeply. It’s so deep,” she told host Savannah Guthrie. “The show is probably only going to go another 23 years, so I think we should just wait and see.”
Season 24 drove fans wild when Benson and Stabler shared an emotional moment that almost led to a kiss. Reflecting on the scene, Hargitay said, “I think both of us, it was such a long time coming, we just want to make sure and get it right. The good news is we are so comfortable around each other, it was effortless and fun, and we trust each other. It was beautiful that way. We just focused on the work.”
As the anticipation builds, fans are left wondering if Benson and Stabler will finally cross the line from partners to something more. One thing is certain: their journey, filled with deep connection and unresolved tension, has captivated audiences for decades, and any resolution will be well worth the wait.
