Chris Meloni Sparks SVU Return Rumors with Mariska Hargitay Set Photos
Christopher Meloni teased fans with a series of behind the scenes photos alongside Mariska Hargitay, fueling speculation about his return to Law and Order Special Victims Unit ahead of season 27.
Hi everyone, Quinn Parker here, and I am that aunt who has had way too much coffee and is buzzing like a neon sign about this epic reunion.
It all kicked off on August 2 when Meloni, age 64, dropped an Instagram post captioned “Hangin with friends on a Friday nite” featuring him in full Stabler mode complete with that classic detective’s intensity. Right next to him, Hargitay, age 61, appeared as Captain Olivia Benson, arms wrapped around her former partner like no time has passed at all. This shot alone has SVU devotees flipping their lid, but wait—there is more.
In a second frame Meloni and Hargitay flash bright smiles in uniform in what looks like an actual set corridor, and then, surprise cameo: Dann Florek pops in as the retired Capt. Donald Cragen. Florek, who left the series in 2015, is instantly recognizable to OG SVU fans. Meloni and Florek side by side again is basically the reunion of the century.
Fans wasted no time in the comments section. One wrote OH MY GOD THE OGS I LOVE THIS SO MUCH while another welcomed home Captain Cragen like a long lost family member. A third stoked the Stabler and Benson romance flames wondering if the episode will make them cry all over again. Seriously, is it a crime drama or a tearjerker love story?
This isn’t Meloni’s first SVU reunion parade. Back in May 2018 he and Hargitay strolled through New York City streets in their daily off duty glory, with Meloni captioning a selfie fail “Crazy ppl on the streets of nyc.” Vacation snaps from December 2018 showed them cozied up poolside under the hashtag #Reunited #OldFriends #PTL. They even gamely donned Spirit Hoods at the 2022 Emmys backstage suite, proving they can still clown around like buddies off duty.
In a July 25 episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, Hargitay teased that if Benson and Stabler ever officially become a couple, it might finally happen in the finale of this season. “Maybe on the last episode,” she told host Alex Cooper. She stressed it has to feel authentic, “only if it’s right,” which gives us hope but also has us on the edge of our seats.
Law and Order Special Victims Unit season 27 premieres this September on NBC and viewers will have to tune in to see if Meloni and Florek actually step back into action on camera or if these snaps are just caffeine fueled stunts to set our hearts racing.
Stay tuned for more behind the scenes peeks, fan freakouts, and maybe even a tearful reunion hug or two. I need to take a breath before my next cup of joe or I might explode with excitement.
Okay, my heart cannot handle any more cliffhangers today!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, Instagram, Call Her Daddy podcast
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
