‘SVU’ Boss Talks Benson & Stabler’s ‘Important Relationship’ and Christopher Meloni’s Future on the Show
What To Know
- SVU showrunner Michele Fazekas emphasizes the importance of the relationship between Benson and Stabler.
- She also addresses the possibility of seeing Christopher Meloni onscreen next season.
Perhaps the longest, most frustrating slow burn on TV is that of former partners Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Detective Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni). It started on Law & Order: SVU, where they worked side by side for 12 seasons until he left. It reignited when he got his own spinoff, Organized Crime, in 2021; sadly, that has been canceled after five seasons. But SVU is still going, meaning he can always pop up on there.
SVU showrunner Michele Fazekas is all for bringing Meloni back onscreen, though she notes it depends on his schedule.
“I wouldn’t want to just drop him in an unimportant scene,” she tells TV Insider. “You have to use him and bring him in with purpose. So, yeah, I would love to bring Stabler back around once in a while.”
There have certainly been almosts between Benson and Stabler, including a near-kiss in SVU Season 24. Benson also hasn’t had a love interest in a while, and Fazekas doesn’t know about bringing one in, in general.
“When I was on the show, it was Benson and Stabler, and I personally don’t know about a love interest for her,” she says. “I think that is a really important relationship that I do want to serve as much as we can. Chris works a lot. There were a couple of episodes this year, I was like, ‘Hey, is he around?’ and he was working.”
She continues, “I think it’s important to service that relationship for me personally and also for the fans. It’s a super important relationship to Benson, and Benson is a different person than she was when I was on the show before. She has grown in so many different ways, and that relationship is very different, and Stabler is a different person. So, what are they now together? And so exploring that would be great if Chris Meloni is available.”
What do you want to see SVU explore with Benson and Stabler going forward? Let us know in the comments section below.
Law & Order: SVU, Season 27 Finale, Thursday, May 14, 9/8c, NBC
—Additional reporting by Erin Maxwell
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Conversation33 Comments
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R
I would love to see benson and stabler finally get together I always loved them together and love him. I think the show will go even further and better if they get together. Please bring him back
16
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E
I would love to see Stabler back for good ! Not just show up randomly !! They have a chemistry together. And makes SVU an awesome show !!!
14
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S
I would love nothing more than Benson & Stabler to get together
12
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M
We want Stabler back and we want Benson and Stabler' together as a couple. 🥰
12
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A
I would love to see an episode where Elliot finds out about William Lewis!
11
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K
Yes would love to see them together again it is meant to be
7
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R
Many viewers want so very much for a pairing of EO. This is a serious issue that has been avoided
when the opportunity was there to explore it for both E&O. Michele--just write it as best as it suits you.
I think CM will be very willing to continue when he can as Elliot Stabler. How about putting him on L&O as the previous writer suggested?
7
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K
Benson and Stabler on the downlow. No one else has to know (except Fin). They can work occasional cases together without her team getting suspicious.
5
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M
I’ve been saying that on instagram and YouTube from day one EO needs to be on a down low just the 2 of them for awhile maybe even 2 seasons of SVU then on the 30’th season they come out only Fin should know agree hole heartily EO speaks their own language know one else around could understand .
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A
STABLER IN CAPTAIN NYPD UNIFORM WAITING AT THE ALTAR WHILE OLIVIA BENSON WALK THE AISLE IN SAINT PATRICK CATHEDRAL, DINNER DATE NIGHTS, COMPSTATS TOGETHER BOTH IN UNIFORMS, NOAH STABLER BECAMING ARCHITECT, RETIRING TOGETHER IN LONG ISLAND OR A LAKE IN A HOUSE DESIGNED BY STABLER.
5
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V
I hope they never get together. Olivia doesn’t need a man. She’s a strong independent woman. And their relationship is rather toxic. Leave him out of the show.
5
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E
Have you been drinking before making that comment
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G
Please bring Stabler back to Olivia. We’ve waited long enough.😁
4
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S
slow burn is puttng it mildly. I honestly don't care if they end up together or if they don't. I just wish the show would make a damn decision about it instead of drawing it out at a glacial pace. Either get them together, or let them stay best friends and be happy with other people.
4
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T
I want her to be with Barba. Stabler is old news
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G
I’ll take them anyway we can get them. I would like to see him take the top captain job in law and order. To me Maura Tierney is useless and there could be a bunch of cross overs
4
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I
YES YES YES would LOVE to see Stabler back and why can’t they become a couple? 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
3
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L
They better end up together after 27 seasons. I mean come on! Quit teasing us!
3
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L
Would you please just get them together before they're too old!! I've waited long enough. Thank you.
2
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D
Yes please bring Stabler back to SVU He is a great actor and their long history together needs to be hopefully ever after. When not available for in person, at least phone calls and talking about each other.Keep him current in the viewer's mind and olivia's.
2
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M
Please let this happen!!!! Their relationship is iconic and he needs to be brought back,
2
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J
I think that organized crime should have never been cancelled and that Chris was so good in that show please bring it back
2
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J
Whatever else you can do to make it happen!
2
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E
#getelliottandoliviatogetherromantically
#getelliottstablerbacktolawandordersuvpermanently
1
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M
I liked it better when Stabler was on. They both made the show. He was married with a family.most shows they are single.that is not life.make it more real. Bring him back.
1
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L
Yes. Bring Chris back as a regular!
1
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A
The layers of Benson and Stabler's relationship were the foundation of who the characters grew to become and continued to evolve into. I appreciate her comments and understanding of their history, while working within the obvious constraints that have been in place by decision makers. While waiting for those on-screen moments, my hope is that their relationship is featured in mentions, conversations, and acknowledgment for the viewers throughout next season. Olivia deserves to be shown to have a solid loving relationship with Elliot and they clearly love each other. And any scene shared by Mariska and Chris is talent, chemistry, and understanding of their character's history in every breath. Will always want that!
1
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A
I would love to see them become a couple on the show. It’s long overdue.
And bring stabler back full time!!
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A
Stabler and benson relationship presently would be platonic. They each have grown independently. They respect each other but I don’t see any real romance for them. That ship has sailed. I would like to see Olivia have a strong romantic relationship but not with stabler.
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K
I think they need to bring stabler back permanetly as her parter/ boyfriend.Show hasn' t been near as good without elliot in it!
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I
Leave him and their relationship in the past where it belongs. She doesn't need him. She has outgrown him and so has the show.
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T
I know I won't like Benson and Stabler getting together I want her to be with Barba sorry but Stabler doesn't fit her now move on Stabler
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A
The Benson and Stable situation is really not that significant at this point. If it happenes, it happenes! If it doesn't, then oh well. I would, however, love to see Benson and Stabler back to do a crossover with Hank Voight (Chi PD)
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