As the team on Law & Order: SVU gets ready for it’s fall premiere, lead actress Mariska Hargitay, who plays Olivia Benson on the show, has been posting recently on social behind the scenes previewing Christopher Meloni, who has played Elliot Stabler on the show before was shown onset filming, hinting at possible return to the new season that’s ahead according to Variety.
Hargitay had shared two pictures previewing the upcoming season with Meloni appearing in both photos. The first photo captioned “WHO DAT”, showing Hargitay directly pointing to Meloni’s figure in the background during filming. Hargitay’s second sneak peak photo showed Hargitay and Meloni both appearing in the picture together smiling captioned “Happy 600…”.
Meloni has played Elliot Stabler on the series for over 12 seasons in the past. Meloni starred in a direct spin off to the Law & Order: SVU series called Law & Order: Organized Crime that was recently cancelled this past April of this year, ending on season 5.
Meloni and Hargitay have been working together as detectives on Law & Order: SVU for over 25 years, starring together on the show since 1999. Law & Order: SVU has aired 594 episodes and completed 27 seasons, with the season 27 finale just airing this past May of this year. The show has a longevity that includes being the longest running TV drama in American television history.
Hargitay also currently holds the record for the longest running drama character as Oliva Benson, breaking this record on Season 21 of the series back in 2019. Hargitay was recently praised for hosting the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards. This was her first time hosting an award show ever.
Law & Order: SVU is also a part of the Wolf Entertainment universe that produces other major TV show franchises like the One Chicago (Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD) that’s on streamed on Peacock and the FBI franchise (FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, CIA) which viewers can stream on Paramount+.
Season 28 of Law & Order: SVU is set for it’s US fall premiere on NBC on October 8, 2026 at 9PM EST with the availability to stream on Peacock the next day.