Great news for Law & Order: SVU fans: beloved characters Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler are set to reunite on the highly anticipated spinoff series, Law & Order: Organized Crime. This thrilling development was confirmed by actor Christopher Meloni, who portrays Stabler, during a July 29 appearance on The Talk.
Mariska Hargitay Joins the Cast of Law & Order: Organized Crime
Mariska Hargitay, known for her iconic role as Olivia Benson, will be making guest appearances on the new series. Meloni shared the exciting update, hinting at the long-awaited reunion of the dynamic duo who had captivated audiences for years on SVU. “Oh yeah,” Meloni responded when asked if Hargitay would be appearing on Organized Crime. “How much? I don’t know, because I hear she has her own day job. I think whatever we can slice away, whatever the writers come up with. I think we will both be looking forward to playing with each other in each other’s sandbox.”
A Decade Apart: Stabler and Benson Reunite
For over a decade, fans have yearned for a reunion between Stabler and Benson. Meloni left SVU in 2011 after 12 seasons, a decision that left many viewers heartbroken. Now, with Meloni returning as the tough NYPD detective in a new Law & Order series, audiences will finally see the pair together again.
Not only is Hargitay expected to appear on Organized Crime, but Meloni is also set to return to SVU for its season 22 premiere. Showrunner Warren Leight confirmed this exciting news during an episode of The Law & Order: SVU Podcast. “It’s pretty clear that Elliot will be in the SVU season opener,” Leight said. “I think that much I know.”
The Evolved Elliot Stabler
The Stabler fans will encounter in Law & Order: Organized Crime and the new episodes of SVU won’t be the same man who left the Special Victims Unit nearly a decade ago. During his appearance on The Talk, Meloni explained that his character had “evolved” over the years. The show will address the burning questions about Stabler’s departure and his prolonged silence towards his former partner, Olivia Benson.
“There are a lot of unanswered questions about how he left, why the silence vis-a-vis Olivia Benson,” Meloni noted.
In another interview on SiriusXM’s The Jess Cagle Show, Meloni revealed he hadn’t yet seen a script for the new 13-episode series, which is still in pre-production. However, he speculated that there might have been “a mellowing” in Stabler, suggesting that while his passion for his job remains, he is in a better place with his family and himself.
A New Day in Law Enforcement
The newest Law & Order series will reflect the significant changes in society’s views on law enforcement and crime. “Stabler will be coming back into a world that, as we’re all experiencing right now, has really changed, with policing and the citizenry,” Meloni said. “It’s a new day, and there are new ways of going about things. So I think those are all issues to address in the show, and I think it’s going to be a challenge for Elliot, one that I think he’ll meet.”
A Promising Future
The reunion of Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler promises to bring both nostalgia and fresh, compelling narratives to Law & Order: Organized Crime. Fans can look forward to seeing how these beloved characters navigate a transformed world while continuing to fight for justice. As anticipation builds, it’s clear that the return of this iconic duo will be one of the most talked-about events in television.
