Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni Photos Raise Benson and Stabler Questions

Law & Order: SVU characters Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler arguably have the greatest love story of all time — but they’re not together just yet. The onscreen duo has been played by Mariska Hargitay (Benson) and Christopher Meloni (Stabler) since the NBC show premiered in 1999. However, Meloni’s departure from the show after season 13 in 2012 caused some tension between the characters. Benson and Stabler worked things out when Meloni returned to the franchise for his own spinoff series, Law & Order: Organized Crime, in April 2021. "I think there's a world [where they could get together],” Meloni told Today in January 2023 of the beloved characters. "I used to not, but I think we're all trying to still figure out what the exact steps are and what that endgame is." Both Hargitay and Meloni have disclosed in various interviews over the years that they have no idea what the future holds for the duo. However, photos of the actors cozying up in August 2025 while filming the show might just hint at a love story in the making. Keep scrolling for Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler’s relationship timeline:

In season 1 of SVU, Stabler and Benson are new partners, but the spark between them already had fans speculating there might be something more. 

"I'm never home. I'm always with you," Benson says to the detective in episode 2. A few scenes later, Stabler is caught staring longingly at his partner until she notices. “What?” she asks.

After Benson sleeps with Detective Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters) in season 1, Stabler confronts her about their romantic affair. 

Benson explains by saying she broke one of her personal rules by getting involved with a coworker. When she admits Cassidy wants to go out with her again, Stabler responds, "Can you blame him?

In the same episode, Stabler also makes a vow to Benson, promising that he is her partner “for better or for worse" — one of his most famous lines. 

The two have a heated exchange when Stabler’s wife, Kathy (Isabel Gillies) files for legal separation and moves out of the house with the kids in season 6. He tells Benson that he’s “hard to live with” because of his job, to which she replies, “She should try working with you” — bringing a smile to Stabler’s face and ending the tension. 

When Benson gets her neck slashed in season 7, Stabler ends up running to make sure she’s OK instead of chasing after the perpetrator, leaving a little boy to get killed in the crossfire. 

Stabler then starts lashing out at Benson, blaming her for his choices.

"I can't do this anymore. I can't be looking over my shoulder making sure you're OK," he tells her. Later in the episode, Benson admits that she “would have done the same thing.”

Stabler then tells Benson they can never choose each first again, otherwise their partnership is over.

“I can’t believe you’re saying that,” Benson says. “You and this job are about the only things I’ve got anymore,” Stabler replies, “I don’t want to wreck that. I couldn’t take it.”

The episode ends with Benson asking for a new partner. However, the two reunite a few episodes later. 

In season 8, Benson mumbles the name “Elliot” in her sleep all night while in a hospital in Oregon. 

Stabler tells Benson that he is the “longest relationship” she’s had with a man, to which she eventually agrees.

When she meets up with Stabler’s estranged wife later in the episode, Kathy confesses that she “worried [Stabler] preferred spending time with you than with me and the kids.” 

She adds, “The truth is, you know things about him I will never understand." 

The pair’s captain is informed by a workplace psychologist that Benson and Stabler “have a degree of mutual reliance and emotional dependence that compromises their effectiveness as police officers.” 

After Kathy — who is pregnant with Stabler’s child after a one-night hookup — and Benson get into a car crash during season 9, Stabler’s ex goes into emergency labor and Benson takes her to the hospital, saving her life. 

When Stabler finally arrives, he’s so thankful to his longtime partner that the twosome share their first hug — after a longing stare. 

The duo are forced to go undercover as a married couple at a swinger's party. 

Stabler abruptly leaves the SVU without giving Benson any warning at the end of season 12.  

In April 2021, Meloni’s spinoff, Law & Order: Organized Crime premiered, leading Stabler to show up in NYC for Benson as she wins an award. However, she fails to show up because she is busy dealing with a car bombing incident — one that was meant for Stabler but ended up killing his ex-wife instead. 

When Stabler arrives at the scene, the two lock eyes for the first time in years.

Following Kathy’s accident, Benson asks Stabler why he left her without any warning. Stabler gives an apology, revealing that he didn't think he could leave if he saw her face. 

After suffering from PTSD following the death of his ex-wife, Stabler blurts out, “I love you,” to Benson in front of his family, before processing his words and adding, “I love all of you.” 

Stabler reveals that a letter he previously sent Benson wasn’t actually written by him. The note — which said that the partners weren't good for each other, that he hopes Benson finds a loyal and faithful man and that they both got in each other's way as growing individuals — was actually written by his ex-wife. 

However, he admits to penning one line: "In a parallel universe, it will always be you and I.” 

Stabler tells a friend during a 2022 episode of Organzied Crime that he is in love with a mystery woman. 

Benson admits — after splitting a box of wine — that she once was open to a romance with Stabler but can no longer trust him. She also confesses to struggling with Kathy’s murder.

Stabler tries to kiss Benson after she was hurt on the job. While he leans in, she pulls away and tells him that she’s scared things won’t work out and she’s “not ready” to take things to the next level. 

Set photos from SVU, snapped in August 2025, appeared to hint at a future for Benson and Stabler as the actors cozied up while filming a scene.