Benson and Stabler are back together.
Christopher Meloni teased his possible return to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit by showcasing a series of snaps of him and onscreen love interest Mariska Hargitay on the set of the NBC series
Meloni—who portrayed Detective Elliot Stabler for 12 seasons alongside Hargitay’s Captain Olivia Benson before he left the crime drama in 2011—cozied up to his former costar in a series of Aug. 2 Instagram photos, writing, “Hangin with friends on a Friday nite.”
In one sweet snapshot from on set, Meloni and Hargitay flashed smiles in their cop uniforms as the actress, 61, hugged the 64-year-old.
Another pic also included SVU alum Dann Florek, who officially exited the procedural as Capt. Donald Cragen in 2015.
And while this isn’t the first time Meloni—who now stars on Peacock’s spinoff Law & Order: Organized Crime—has reunited with Hargitay on screen since his exit, fans were shocked by the possible return of Florek on the NBC series’ upcoming 27th season.
“OH MY GOD. THE OG’S! I LOVE THIS SO MUCH,” one user commented on Instagram, while another excitedly shared, “Welcome home Captain Cragen! Looks like a fun Friday night.”
A third viewer wrote of Stabler and Benson’s will-they, wont-they chemistry, “Wait though is the episode gonna make me cry?!? Just don’t break our hearts again.”
Fans will have to tune in to see if Meloni and Florek actually make on-camera appearances on the new season. However, Hargitay recently teased whether or not she sees her crime-fighting character actual end up in love and in a relationship with Stabler.
“Maybe on the last episode,” she told Alex Cooper on the July 25 episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast. “I think that’s when they should be together.”
However, Hargitay—who has led the series since it premiered in 1999—noted the romance should only happen “if it’s right.”
Keep reading to see all the times Meloni and Hargitay have reunited (both on screen and off).
Law & Order: SVU season 27 premieres this September on NBC.
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.
(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family)
