Law & Order: SVU Showrunner Reveals Major Storyline Change for Olivia Benson in Season 27
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit‘s new season 27 showrunner Michele Fazekas teased what’s ahead for Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson character.
The elite squad known as the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit cast is in for a shakeup.
Michele Fazekas, who was a writer on the NBC cop drama for more than two decades before becoming its season 27 showrunner, teased that the show will be going back to its roots—with Mariska Hargitay‘s Olivia Benson character diving into “a twisty kind of case.”
“In some ways, I’m going back to when I was on the show, which was like seasons 3 through 7,” she told People in an interview published Sept. 24. “I remember what we were doing then that worked well. It’s like, ‘Alright, we’re gonna bring some of that back.”
In addition to “little bit” of changes to the set, Fazekas said there’ll also be “some challenges to Benson that she hasn’t had in a while” in the new season, premiering on Sept. 25.
“In a great way,” the executive producer added, “we’re giving her something to push against.”
This may include the return of SVU alum Christopher Meloni, whose Elliot Stabler character is now handling cases on the Law & Order: Organized Crime spinoff. After all, he and Dann Florek—who exited the procedural as Capt. Donald Cragen in 2015—were spotted on set in photos shared by Meloni in August.
As the actor captioned the behind-the-scenes snapshots, “Hangin with friends on a Friday nite.”
And while Benson and Stabler’s relationship was strictly platonic during Meloni’s 12-season run on SVU, Hargitay wouldn’t mind seeing the two detectives eventually become a couple.
“Maybe on the last episode,” she quipped on a July episode of Call Her Daddy podcast. “I think that’s when they should be together.”
Hargitay—who has led the series since it premiered in 1999—added, “If it’s right. We’ll see when we get there.”
To see Hargitay and Meloni through the years, read on.
(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Elite Squad
Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay teamed up to present at the 2025 Emmys, where the actress joked to her former costar that he’ll “never have” one.
My Friend Mariska
Christopher showed his support for Mariska at the premiere of her 2025 documentary My Mom Jayne.
A Picture Tells a Thousand Words
The two snapped a sweet selfie as they reunited on the set of Law & Order: SVU in March 2025.
Rise & Shine
In 2021, Mariska and Christopher woke up early to promote a new season of their Law & Order shows on NBC’s Today.
Presenting TV Magic
Before announcing one of the biggest winners of the night, the 2022 Emmys presenters had a little fun onstage at the Microsoft Theatre.
Luxury
The former Law & Order: SVU costars stopped by the Backstage Creations giving suite at the 2022 Emmys, where they have some fun dressing up in their comfortable Spirit Hoods.
Dinner Party
“Sunday night dinner,” Hargitay shared alongside a selfie of her and Chris, who she starred with on Law & Order: SVU for 12 seasons before the actor left the series in 2011.
Vacation Buddies
Hargitay posed this snap with her bestie while on vacation in December 2018. “Vacay…A great night with this one,” she wrote at the time. “#Reunited #OldFriends #PTL.”
Partners for Life
In May 2018, Meloni and Hargitay hung out together in New York City.
Ready for Their Close Up
“Crazy ppl on the streets of nyc,” Meloni captioned this selfie fail.
Blurry Buds
You could say 2017 was a blur for these two, as seen in this candid selfie shared during the holidays.
Happy and They Know It
The two pals ran into one another after Thanksgiving in 2017,
Kiss Kiss
Stabler and Benson finally taking their relationship to the next level? Nope, it’s just Meloni planting a friendly kiss on Hargitay.
Goofballs Forever
“Even the effortless moments…” Meloni captioned the previous photo only to follow it up with this funny picture and the caption, “…need to be rehearsed.”
Birthday Bash
Hargitay shared this sweet snap in honor of her former TV partner’s birthday in April 2017 and said “PFL” at the end of the note—because Stabler and Benson are partners for life!
Be Mine
“And then that happened…Just when I thought Valentine’s Day was over,” Hargitay wrote alongside this kissing picture from Valentine’s Day in 2017.
Holiday Cheer
In 2016, the real-life friends celebrated Christmas together.
Instagram
Lean on Me
“Lean on me #PFL #FacialHairDontCare #Hargoatee #HanginWithAFriend #ItsAllInTheEyesKid,” Hargitay wrote on this precious picture.
Spotted: SVU Pals
In 2015, in the dark of night, New York City’s greatest detectives, err, we mean friends, reunited once again and posed for an epic photo.
Bestie Reunion
In March 2014, the duo reunited for dinner—proving that they will always be partners, even if they aren’t acting alongside one another anymore.