Mariska Hargitay Teases Christopher Meloni’s Return To ‘Law & Order: SVU’

It appears Benson and Stabler will be together once more on Law & Order: SVU. Mariska Hargitay (Benson) has teased the return of her former partner, Detective Elliot Stabler, played by Christopher Meloni, as the show marks its milestone 600th episode.

Hargitay posted two photos on Instagram Tuesday. In the first she wrote “WHO DAT” alongside a photo of herself pointing to Meloni who has his back to her. The second post features a smiling Hargitay and Meloni with the caption “Happy 600…”. You can see both below.

Episode 600 is scheduled to air on November 12, halfway through SVU‘s 28th season, which premieres Oct. 8. Hargitay did not confirm if Meloni would appear in that episode or how long his arc may be, but it’s clear he’s coming back.

Meloni last reprised his role as Detective Elliot Stabler in the Season 27 premiere episode of SVU titled “In the Wind,” which aired on September 25, 2025.

Meloni’s spinoff Law & Order: Organized Crime was canceled in April after a five-season run.

Following the cancellation Meloni wrote on social media: “I wanted to take this moment to say thank you to the fans, who not only helped give the character of Elliot Stabler life and longevity, but for sticking with him and welcoming him back. It was a great ride. But thank you. You helped give me a career that I never dreamed of.”

Starring Hargitay and her second-in-command Sgt. Odafin “Fin” Tutuola (Ice-T), SVU chronicles the lives of the New York Police Department’s Special Victims Unit, an elite squad of detectives who investigate crimes of sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence. Peter Scanavino, Kelli Giddish, Kevin Kane, Aimé Donna Kelly and Corey Cott also star.

Dick Wolf is creator and executive producer. Michelle Fazekas, Mariska Hargitay, Kenneth Brown, Rebeccca McGill, Anastasia Puglisi and Peter Jankowski executive produce. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Wolf Entertainment.