The reunion long-time Law & Order: SVU fans have been waiting for is one step closer to happening.
Christopher Meloni will return to the Law & Order fold as Elliot Stabler in a new series that has a 13-episode order from NBC, marking this the first time he's playing the iconic character since the season 12 finale in 2011. The new Law & Order show will be set in New York and feature Stabler leading the organized crime unit. That means that, yes, Meloni's Stabler and Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson are set to cross paths once again.
Meloni exited the show between seasons 12 and 13. In the season 12 finale, Meloni's character was involved in a shooting in the precinct. The season 13 premiere explained his character decided to retire after the required leave of absence. Viewers never saw a farewell between the two fan-favorite partners.
Now, the reunion is inevitable.
Law & Order: SVU showrunner Warren Leight brought back a number of faces for the show's history-making season 21, and ahead of the premiere said a Stabler return was out of his hands.
"I don't know how, I don't know when, but, yeah, that's kind of, I think the fans and Benson and Stabler are owed that," Leight said about a reunion. But he's just talking about a reunion on screen. Hargitay and Meloni have kept in touch since his exit and regularly treat fans to selfies when they get together.
See some of those moments 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.
Law & Order: SVU airs Thursdays, 10 p.m. on NBC. The series was recently renewed through season 24 by NBC.
(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)