Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni are synonymous with Law & Order: SVU, having been pivotal figures since its inception. Hargitay continues to portray Captain Olivia Benson, a role she’s held for an impressive 22 seasons, starting as a detective alongside Meloni’s character, Elliot Stabler. Their on-screen partnership, though strictly professional, resonated deeply with fans who admired their chemistry and dynamic teamwork.
Meloni departed the series after season 12 due to a contract dispute, leaving a void in the show that fans keenly felt. However, his character’s departure was not without controversy, as Stabler’s exit lacked closure with Benson, adding emotional weight to their separation. Despite leaving SVU, Meloni returns to the Law & Order universe with his own spinoff, Law & Order: Organized Crime, where he reprises his role as Stabler.
In terms of financial success, both actors have amassed considerable wealth. Mariska Hargitay boasts an impressive net worth of $100 million and earns $450,000 per episode on SVU, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Christopher Meloni, while also financially successful with a net worth of $30 million, falls behind Hargitay in this regard.
Law & Order: Organized Crime was highly anticipated by fans eager to see Meloni back in action. Although its debut was delayed, the series promises to explore Stabler’s return to the NYPD amid a changed landscape, tackling organized crime and personal redemption. There’s hopeful speculation among fans for crossovers between SVU and Organized Crime, a prospect Meloni himself sees as essential given the unresolved emotional ties between Benson and Stabler.
As the Law & Order universe expands, fans eagerly await the reunion of these iconic characters and the dramatic potential it promises.
