Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni's Off-Screen Friendship Proves They're Partners for Life

The long-time partners on Law & Order: SVU have each other's backs just as much off-screen as they did while starring on the show together.

By Kelsey Klemme Aug 15, 2020 1:00 PM
| Updated Aug 12, 2020 5:55 PM
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Watch: Mariska Hargitay Welcomes Chris Meloni Back to "Law & Order"

Stabler and Benson forever!

It's been 9 years since Christopher Meloni left Law & Order: SVU, but thankfully his friendship with Mariska Hargitay has never ended.

The two still frequently hang out, from grabbing dinner to going on vacays, and we're always happy when the stars share pics for those of us who still miss seeing their partner-in-crime bond on the long-running procedural.

Thankfully, though, fans of the series can rejoice and relive the actors' best moments together on-screen, as the stalwart series is available to stream now on Peacock!

That's right, you can rewatch Hargitay, Meloni and their co-stars Ice-T, BD Wong, Peter Hermann (who is also Hargitay's husband!), Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino and more as they work together to stop New York's most heinous offenses any time on NBCU's streaming service.

In celebration, let's take a look back at Meloni and Hargitay's real-life friendship with their cutest BFF pics.

So take a look below, and be sure to sign up for Peacock so you can binge the series all over again.

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How Law and Order: SVU Handled Cast Exits

(E!, Peacock and NBC are all part of the NBCUniversal family.)

Elite Squad

Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay teamed up to present at the 2025 Emmys, where the actress joked to her former costar that he'll "never have" one.

My Friend Mariska

Christopher showed his support for Mariska at the premiere of her 2025 documentary My Mom Jayne.

A Picture Tells a Thousand Words

The two snapped a sweet selfie as they reunited on the set of Law & Order: SVU in March 2025.

Rise & Shine

In 2021, Mariska and Christopher woke up early to promote a new season of their Law & Order shows on NBC's Today.

Presenting TV Magic

Before announcing one of the biggest winners of the night, the 2022 Emmys presenters had a little fun onstage at the Microsoft Theatre. 

Luxury

The former Law & Order: SVU costars stopped by the Backstage Creations giving suite at the 2022 Emmys, where they have some fun dressing up in their comfortable Spirit Hoods.

Dinner Party

"Sunday night dinner," Hargitay shared alongside a selfie of her and Chris, who she starred with on Law & Order: SVU for 12 seasons before the actor left the series in 2011.

Vacation Buddies

Hargitay posed this snap with her bestie while on vacation in December 2018. "Vacay...A great night with this one," she wrote at the time. "#Reunited #OldFriends #PTL."

Partners for Life

In May 2018, Meloni and Hargitay hung out together in New York City.

Ready for Their Close Up

"Crazy ppl on the streets of nyc," Meloni captioned this selfie fail.

Blurry Buds

You could say 2017 was a blur for these two, as seen in this candid selfie shared during the holidays.

Happy and They Know It

The two pals ran into one another after Thanksgiving in 2017, 

Kiss Kiss

Stabler and Benson finally taking their relationship to the next level? Nope, it's just Meloni planting a friendly kiss on Hargitay.

Goofballs Forever

"Even the effortless moments..." Meloni captioned the previous photo only to follow it up with this funny picture and the caption, "...need to be rehearsed." 

Birthday Bash

Hargitay shared this sweet snap in honor of her former TV partner's birthday in April 2017 and said "PFL" at the end of the note—because Stabler and Benson are partners for life!

Be Mine

"And then that happened...Just when I thought Valentine's Day was over," Hargitay wrote alongside this kissing picture from Valentine's Day in 2017.

Holiday Cheer

In 2016, the real-life friends celebrated Christmas together.

Lean on Me

"Lean on me #PFL #FacialHairDontCare #Hargoatee #HanginWithAFriend #ItsAllInTheEyesKid," Hargitay wrote on this precious picture.

Spotted: SVU Pals

In 2015, in the dark of night, New York City's greatest detectives, err, we mean friends, reunited once again and posed for an epic photo.

Bestie Reunion

In March 2014, the duo reunited for dinner—proving that they will always be partners, even if they aren't acting alongside one another anymore.

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