The reunion we've all been waiting for!
On Friday, Jan. 15, Christopher Meloni teased his highly-anticipated return to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The 59-year-old actor took to Instagram and shared a black-and-white photo of himself and former on-screen partner Mariska Hargitay, who plays Captain Olivia Benson.
Meloni, who played Detective Elliot Stabler between 1999 and 2011, captioned the image, "We are a little bit closer."
Later in the day, Hargitay shared a similar photo from set. She wrote, "Now even closer... #EO"
Fans are certainly looking forward to Benson and Stabler's on-screen reunion. In fact, many have even sounded off in the photo's comments section.
One enthusiastic fan commented, "I HAVE BEEN WAITING TEN YEARS FOR THIS!!!!"
Same, pal. Same.
As E! readers may recall, Meloni's return to the long-running legal drama was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Initially, the season 22 premiere of Law & Order: SVU was meant to mark Stabler's return to the franchise in about a decade.
The Law & Order: SVU appearance was also supposed to introduce Meloni's new Dick Wolf show, Law & Order: Organized Crime.
Yet, due to the ongoing pandemic and showrunner Matt Olmstead's departure from the new series, Meloni's return was pushed back.
"These days all plans are subject to change. And then they change again. And again," Meloni wrote on Twitter in August 2020. "For now, we won't reintroduce Stabler until the night of his Organized Crime premiere. @SVUWritersRoom has to be NIMBLE this year."
Thankfully, by the end of 2020, Meloni made it clear he was back as Detective Stabler. On Dec. 8, the father of two shared a picture of Stabler's United States Marine Corps tattoo.
He wrote, "#firstdayofschool."
Later that same day, Meloni posted a photo of himself and daughter Sophia at work.
Meloni shared with his followers, "Get to work with my girl- #BestDayEver."
We can't wait to see Stabler back in action.
For more pics of BFFS Meloni and Hargitay, scroll through the images below.
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
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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