Chris Meloni Returns To The Law & Order Franchise: Fans Are Buzzing About A Possible Reunion With Mariska Hargitay

When the iconic Chris Meloni agreed to reprise his role as Elliot Stabler from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in a brand-new NBC spinoff, the first person he reached out to was none other than his former on-screen partner, Mariska Hargitay. According to an insider, "Mariska was absolutely thrilled! You could hear the excitement in her voice." This news has sent fans of SVU into a frenzy, and understandably so. After all, who wouldn't want to see these legendary characters back together?

Now, as Chris takes the helm of his own series, focusing on the NYPD’s organized crime unit, fans are eagerly speculating about potential crossovers with Mariska’s character, Olivia Benson. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to see these two dynamic detectives reunite on screen? Executive producer Dick Wolf is known for his clever way of weaving characters from different shows in the Law & Order universe into each other's storylines. This means there's a strong likelihood of Stabler and Benson crossing paths again after nearly a decade apart. As Audrey Davis, who worked as a publicist during Chris and Mariska's time together on SVU, tells Closer, “There’s no doubt about it—there will definitely be crossovers. Dick Wolf knows exactly what he’s doing!”

The bond between Chris, 59, and Mariska, 56, has always been strong, dating all the way back to their very first meeting during a casting session for SVU in 1999. Mariska recalls, “The moment I met Chris, there was an instant connection—chemistry, trust, and comfort. We just clicked right away. It was nonstop chatter; I couldn’t stop talking. I remember thinking, ‘I want to work with this guy.’ Both Chris and I knew right then and there that we were going to get cast.” Chris echoes her sentiments, saying, “When I saw Mariska, I thought, ‘Who’s the woman with all that energy?’ I just knew she was the one.”

Read also:

Andie Macdowell Shares Her Journey With Piriformis Syndrome

On-Screen Chemistry That Kept Viewers Hooked

For 12 unforgettable seasons, Chris and Mariska delivered performances that captivated audiences with their undeniable chemistry. Yet, despite the sizzle, their characters' relationship remained strictly platonic. “The producers were wise enough to realize that introducing a romance would ruin the dynamic,” Chris explains. “They needed to keep the tension alive but never cross that line. It was a delicate balance, but one that worked beautifully for the show.”

Off-screen, Chris and Mariska respected those same boundaries. Chris has been happily married to production designer Sherman Williams, 60, since 1995, and they share two children: Sophia, 19 (whose godmother is Mariska), and Dante, 16. Meanwhile, Mariska tied the knot with frequent SVU guest star Peter Hermann, 52, in 2004, and they have three children: August, 13; Amaya, 9; and Andrew, 8.

Still, their friendship blossomed behind the scenes. “When you're working with someone for 16 hours a day, you better get along whether the cameras are rolling or not,” Chris says. “That mutual respect and camaraderie were invaluable to both of us.”