When fans think of Law & Order: SVU, one of the most iconic duos that comes to mind is Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Detective Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni). For 12 seasons, their partnership captivated viewers, and their departure as a team left a lasting impact.
Many fans hoped that Benson and Stabler’s relationship would develop into something more than just a professional partnership, despite Stabler being married with a family. Their chemistry on screen was undeniable.
Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler: Partners for Over a Decade
For over a decade, Benson and Stabler tackled cases and sought justice for survivors. Their dynamic and undeniable chemistry made them an effective and memorable team. Many fans wished for a romantic development, but it never materialized, leaving their relationship strictly professional.
Meloni’s departure from the series before season 13 due to a contract dispute was a hard pill to swallow for fans. The abrupt exit, without a proper goodbye to his partner, left a significant void.
Hargitay on Benson and Stabler’s Potential Romance
In a 2019 interview with Parade.com, Hargitay discussed the chemistry between Benson and Stabler. She believed that introducing romance would have spoiled the “magic” of their relationship. She described their dynamic as “perfect” as it was and felt that a romantic relationship would have ruined what made them special.
“If that happened, the chemistry and alchemy and the magic of the relationship would have been gone,” Hargitay said. “It was perfect just the way it was. A romance would have ruined it.”
The Impact on Benson’s Love Life
During NBC’s Summer Press Day in 2012, Hargitay revealed that Benson’s strong connection with Stabler hindered her ability to form relationships with other men.
“With Elliot Stabler’s departure, that was the only way she could have a relationship,” Hargitay explained. “There was no room for a man in her life because of their connection.”
While Benson did have a few relationships, none compared to the bond she shared with Stabler. Fans continue to cherish the unique connection between them.
Will Benson and Stabler Reunite?
Christopher Meloni is set to star in his own Law & Order spinoff, Law & Order: Organized Crime, premiering in 2021. This development has fans eagerly anticipating a reunion between Benson and Stabler.
In an interview with The New York Post, Meloni expressed confidence that their paths would cross again. “It just has to be,” Meloni said. “Benson and Stabler are inextricably linked, locked, and connected. There is truly and deeply a worthwhile, inherent drama in exploring that relationship and the complexity of how Stabler left — the unresolved emotions both characters feel and how the fans feel.”
Meloni acknowledged that his character’s exit was unsatisfying and hinted at potential future crossovers. “How my character left was really unsatisfying, I think,” Meloni explained. “It almost feels that we won’t do one or two [crossover] episodes and move on our merry way.”
He also noted that fans are eager to see Benson and Stabler together again. “I just think there will always be possibilities there,” Meloni continued. “People will always be hungry to see how we interact and how that dynamic has changed.”
Although Benson and Stabler never became romantically involved, many fans still hope for a deeper connection when they eventually reunite in the future.
