Key Highlights
- Return Confirmation: Mariska Hargitay confirmed Christopher Meloni‘s return to SVU.
- Milestone Episode: The reunion is for the show’s 600th episode.
- Previous Series Cancellation: Meloni’s spinoff was canceled after five seasons.
- Fan Appreciation: Meloni expressed gratitude to fans for their support.
Is Bensler back?
That was the case when Mariska Hargitay shared a photo of her former costar Christopher Meloni on the set of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit during production on its 28th season.
Alongside the selfie, which showed Hargitay, 62, pointing to Meloni, 64, as he stood with his back toward the camera, the actress wrote in a Sept. 22 Instagram post, “Who dat?”
And though Meloni kept quiet when E! News recently asked him about his rumored return to SVU, Hargitay confirmed that her longtime friend will be appearing on the NBC crime drama’s 600th episode with another joint selfie, writing, “Happy 600.”
The reunion comes five months after Meloni’s Law & Order: Organized Crime spinoff—which centered around his character Elliot Stabler’s work in New York City’s Organized Crime Control Bureau—was canceled following five seasons.
“I wanted to take this moment to thank the fans who not only helped give the character of Elliot Stabler life and longevity, but for sticking with him and welcoming him back,” Meloni said in an Instagram video at the time. “I had a great time playing him. It was a great ride, but thank you.”
