Mariska Hargitay Confirms A Benson & Stabler Kiss Scene Was Filmed

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Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay has revealed that a kiss between Benson & Stabler was filmed.

Originally debuting in 1999 as a spin-off of Law & Order, SVU is a long-running American television drama that follows New York City detectives as they investigate crimes of sexual assault. Created by Dick Wolf, the show is currently in its 27th season and has produced almost 600 episodes, making it the longest-running scripted live-action series in U.S. television history.

Mariska Hargitay, who plays Olivia Benson, revealed on The Hollywood Reporter‘s Awards Chatter podcast that a scene between Benson and Christopher Meloni’s character, Stabler, was filmed with multiple takes in season 24 – including one where they actually kissed. Hargitay felt the kiss was a natural progression of their characters’ relationship, explaining, “We shot it in a way that this moment felt earned, like it could happen, even if just for a second.”

Wow, after I said something about the scene, the audience really reacted! I then explained that we actually filmed it a couple of different ways. Ultimately, it was up to the editors – Wolf and the team – to decide what made the final cut. They ended up choosing the version where we almost kissed, rather than the full-on kiss we also shot. It was their call, and honestly, I think they made the right one!

For years, fans have wondered why Stabler and Benson never kissed on the show. While both Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay thought a kiss would have been a good idea, Dick Wolf, the show’s creator, ultimately decided against it. This wasn’t just something fans wished for or a vague idea – it was a planned scene that was cut before the episode was finalized.

Fans have long discussed the future of the relationship between Benson and Stabler. Mariska Hargitay recently revealed that she and Chris Meloni didn’t agree with how the show ultimately handled it. She explained that they both felt the storyline was well-developed, realistic, and beautifully portrayed the many layers of their connection. However, she acknowledged that Dick Wolf, as the showrunner, had the final say.

Despite a lot of fan speculation about a romantic connection between Benson and Stabler, there’s been no official confirmation. It’s also unclear if Stabler will appear on the original show again. Recently, on April 16, 2026, the show Law & Order: Organized Crime, which followed Stabler’s character, was canceled after five seasons.

Four days ago, Meloni shared a photo on Instagram with Mariska Hargitay, joking about how he was spending a typical Thursday while in Los Angeles and between jobs. He called it a casual dinner with friends. Many fans commented, hoping to see his character, Stabler, return to the show SVU.

Now that Law & Order: SVU has been renewed for season 28, Mariska Hargitay’s recent comments are particularly interesting. With Organized Crime ending and Christopher Meloni joining the cast of Hulu’s The Land, a return for his character, Stabler, seems less likely in the immediate future, but it’s still possible later on.

Law & Order: SVU releases new episodes on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.

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2026-04-29 07:08