In an exciting development for Law & Order: SVU fans, Mariska Hargitay has hinted at a potential reunion with her former co-star Chris Meloni, sparking speculation about the return of Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler to our screens.
A Reunion on the Horizon?
Mariska Hargitay, who has played Olivia Benson for over two decades, recently shared her enthusiasm about reuniting with Chris Meloni. The duo’s last on-screen collaboration was in Season 22 of SVU, and while there have been references to Stabler since his departure, the iconic pair have yet to reunite on the show.
In a candid interview with Variety, Hargitay revealed that she and Meloni have been in touch about the possibility of a reunion. “I’m actually planning on it,” she said. “I just told him the other day. We had a party the other night, and it was heavenly. I met his showrunner. They want us together, and Chris and I were talking about it, and it’s time. It’s time now for us.”
Hargitay expressed her eagerness for a reunion, emphasizing that the time apart has only heightened their excitement to work together again. She also mentioned a near-kiss scene between their characters that was changed at the last minute due to creative differences with the show’s creator, Dick Wolf. “To be honest with you, Chris and I thought it should go one way and the powers that be didn’t, so it got changed at the last minute,” she said.
The Challenges of Reuniting
Despite Hargitay’s enthusiasm, the logistics of reuniting Benson and Stabler on screen are complex. Since Meloni’s departure from SVU, he has been deeply involved in his own show, Law & Order: Organized Crime. Current SVU showrunners David Graziano and Julie Martin have expressed their desire to see a crossover but have highlighted the practical challenges involved.
Graziano explained, “That’s something we hotly debate back and forth here every day, and some of the considerations about Benson and Stabler have nothing to do with narrative and they’re about just logistics of these two actors’ busy schedules.” Meloni’s commitment to Organized Crime, where he is involved in every scene, makes scheduling crossovers challenging.
Moreover, any potential reunion would need to address the significant developments that have occurred in both shows. Graziano noted, “We have a responsibility to Benson as a character too. There have been a lot of events that have happened in the OC and also on our show that would seem to preclude an easy relationship with the two of them.”
Looking Forward
While fans eagerly anticipate the return of the beloved pair, it’s clear that any reunion will be carefully planned. “True love prevails in the end,” Graziano added. “But before you can have a healthy relationship, if you have some monsters under your bed, you have to slay those first.”
As Hargitay and Meloni continue to discuss their potential reunion, one thing remains certain: the anticipation and excitement surrounding their return is palpable, and fans are ready for whatever comes next for Benson and Stabler.
