Law & Order: SVU has been synonymous with the enduring partnership of Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni. Their on-screen chemistry as Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler was so profound that Hargitay was once dubbed Meloni’s “second wife,” a title she found quite fitting.
The Dynamic Duo: Hargitay and Meloni’s Chemistry
Hargitay and Meloni’s connection was evident from their first audition together. Hargitay, who had already secured her role, knew immediately that Meloni was the perfect fit.
“I walked in, saw him, and I went, ‘That guy. That’s the guy.’ It went deep, very fast. We both knew that it was something big,” Hargitay shared with People. “I won’t say that I fully understood it, but I knew that meeting him was important and life-changing. My father, my husband, [Law & Order creator] Dick Wolf and Chris are the four pillar men in my life. And that happened early.”
Fans watched their characters’ relationship blossom over the years until Meloni left the show due to a dispute with the producers. Despite his departure, the chemistry between Hargitay and Meloni remained strong, evident when Meloni returned to the franchise. Their bond was so seamless that it felt like no time had passed.
The Second Wife: Hargitay Embraces the Title
Meloni’s return rekindled hopes among fans for a romantic storyline between Benson and Stabler. Some fans even shipped Hargitay and Meloni in real life. During an interview with People, Hargitay discovered she had been referred to as Meloni’s wife in a Wikipedia edit. Whether it was a fan’s ruse or an accident, Hargitay embraced the title.
“I mean, I don’t think I’ll be marrying him any time soon, but I am kind of like his second wife,” she joked. “Wife, therapist, bestie, sister, mother.”
Hargitay humorously noted that some fans wished both actors were single, despite her being married to Peter Hermann, whom she met on SVU, and Meloni being married to Sherman Williams since 1995.
Inspiration from Meloni’s Real-Life Relationship
Meloni’s relationship with Williams was a significant influence on Hargitay. During her single years, she admired the stability and love in Meloni’s marriage.
“The birth of his first child and being privy to his amazing, solid relationship with his wife, before I had that for myself — I think that Chris and Sherman played a really big role for me, to see this really stable couple that loved each other,” she said.
This dynamic further solidified her trust in Meloni.
“It made me feel even safer with him, as opposed to: ‘Great guy — but single.’ Or ‘Great guy — except for his romantic life.’ Instead, he’s this man who is as solid as a rock, and who is that rock in his relationship,” she said. “And I got to lean on it when I needed to. It was like family.”
The Impact of Meloni’s Departure
Meloni’s departure was a significant blow to Hargitay, who couldn’t imagine Olivia Benson without Stabler.
“I can’t really imagine doing the show without Chris and I can’t imagine Olivia …” Hargitay said, according to news au. “I don’t think she could be without him; she loves him, he’s her other half. He’s her husband, her man, her life, her rock.”
During the negotiation process, Hargitay considered following Meloni’s lead but ultimately chose to stay, driven by a deeper commitment to the show.
“It’s been proven over and over to me that it’s the right thing for me to still be here,” she said. “I wasn’t done even through all that crazy negotiation – it wasn’t about money, it was about something else for me. I told them I never wanted to leave. I had every intention of coming back, I needed it to be a little different. But I never say never. I don’t know where I’ll be in another year. I might be done. I might go, ‘I’m so not done.’”
Her decision to stay allowed her to witness Meloni’s return, reuniting with her partner and solidifying their legendary on-screen partnership.
