Over two decades ago, fans first met Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay as detective partners on “Law & Order: SVU.” Although Meloni has since left the show, viewers still consider them the perfect crime-solving duo. A recent announcement has fans buzzing with excitement, hinting at a potential reunion between Meloni and Hargitay.
Meloni joined “Law & Order: SVU” in 1999 as NYPD detective Elliot Stabler, alongside Hargitay’s Detective Olivia Benson. Together, they investigated sex crimes and quickly became a beloved team. In an interview with Inside the Actors Studio, Meloni reminisced about their dynamic on set. “Oh my God, [we were] always cracking up,” he shared. “Constantly. Trying to make each other laugh. Not in certain scenes, no, but yeah, constantly busting chops.”
Their chemistry kept them together on the show for 12 seasons, until 2011 when Meloni departed due to contract disagreements. His character’s exit, written as an off-screen retirement, left many fans wanting more. Now, it seems viewers may finally get the closure they crave. According to Deadline, Meloni will reprise his role as Detective Stabler in a new NBC crime drama.
The new series, created by “Law & Order” mastermind Dick Wolf, has already been greenlit for 13 episodes. While the show’s title remains under wraps, it will follow Detective Stabler as the head of the NYPD organized crime unit. Although not the anticipated return to “Law & Order: SVU,” fans are eager to see Meloni back in action. The current SVU cast even named Meloni as their dream guest-star last year.
Meloni has expressed openness to returning to the franchise. In 2017, he told Entertainment Tonight, “I have always said I would be open to it. [The] circumstances have to be right, that is all.” While he’s not rejoining SVU directly, his new series offers hope for future crossovers.
Hargitay, who continues to star in “Law & Order: SVU,” shares the fans’ excitement. She congratulated Meloni on Twitter with a heartfelt birthday message when news of his new series broke. Meloni shared a throwback photo of the duo with the caption: “Happy Birthday @chris_meloni Congratulations and welcome home Elliot Stabler #It’sBeenAWhile #MissedYou.”
The actors have maintained a close friendship since their time on SVU. They frequently reunite for special occasions and document their meet-ups on social media. Given their ongoing camaraderie and the fans’ desire to see Benson and Stabler together again, a crossover seems likely.
Fans miss Detective Stabler and are eagerly anticipating Meloni’s return to the small screen. With the chemistry between Meloni and Hargitay still as strong as ever, it’s only a matter of time before their characters reunite. Until then, viewers will be counting down the days until the premiere of Meloni’s new series, ready to welcome back Detective Stabler with open arms.
