Dun-dun!
Even though Christopher Meloni isn't taking down sex offenders as Detective Elliot Stabler alongside Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on a weekly basis anymore, the two former co-stars couldn't be any closer.
After working together from 1999 to 2011 when Meloni left the crime drama, it's clear that the two co-stars' friendship still runs deep, which in turn keeps fans' hopes alive for a Law & Order: SVU reunion somewhere down the line. Fingers crossed!
Until that day comes, we have to settle for quick reunions between the real-life pals and the photographs that they take to document these glorious events.
OK, this is in no way settling because we all love both Meloni and Hargitay as friends, but wouldn't be wonderful to see Stabler and Benson back in action as the dedicated detectives who investigate sex crimes on TV?
Obviously, the answer is always going to be yes!
Since we don't know when (or if) Meloni will return to the NBC drama, the sweet reunions between the two longtime friends will have to tied fans over for now.
Feel free to take a look below at the duo's best off-screen reunions since the 57-year-old actor left SVU seven years ago, and relive the glory days of Stabler and Benson in the process.
Even though we don't have Meloni on our TV screens as a detective right now, we do get to see Hargitay in all her glory every week, which is why she is a finalist for the E! People's Choice Awards for Drama TV Star of 2018.
So, technically this is also a fan-appreciation post for the one and only Detective Olivia Benson, because let's be honest, she is the No. 1 reason we are still watching the hit drama year after year. That, and the fact that the stories are so freaking good!
To see if Hargitay takes home the PCAs trophy this year, check out the live award show next month and in the meantime make sure to celebrate her best BFF moments with the other SVU original badass below.
Law & Order: Special Victims Units airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. on NBC.
(NBC and E! are both a 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
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.