Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni, known for their roles as Detectives Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler in "Law & Order: SVU," delighted fans by sharing a holiday reunion selfie on social media. The photo, captioned "Friends at Xmas," shows the former co-stars embracing each other in a friendly hug, both smiling brightly at the camera.
Hargitay, who has continued to lead the show as Lieutenant Olivia Benson, and Meloni, who left the series in 2011 due to contract disagreements, shared a close bond during their 12 seasons together on "SVU." Despite their characters' palpable chemistry on-screen, the show never explored a romantic relationship between them.
In an appearance on Inside the Actors Studio, Meloni spoke highly of his working relationship with Hargitay, emphasizing their unspoken understanding and camaraderie both on and off camera. He expressed the importance of getting along when spending long hours together on set.
Fans have always hoped for Meloni's return to the show, and producers have discussed the possibility of bringing back Detective Stabler for the series finale. Meloni has previously stated that he would be open to reprising his role.
Although Hargitay and Meloni parted ways professionally, they have remained good friends. This recent holiday reunion selfie follows a previous reunion photo they shared in March 2016.
"Law & Order: SVU" continues to be a popular and long-running series, currently in its 18th season on NBC. Fans cherish the dynamic partnership between Detectives Benson and Stabler and continue to hold out hope for future reunions.
