Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler are a dynamic duo at solving crimes together.
In an interview with Variety, Mariska Hargitay, who plays Olivia, and Christopher Meloni, who stars in the role of Elliot, sat down to discuss how their character’s relationship has changed over the past couple of years.
While Meloni and Hargitay’s characters have had a strong relationship, it has always been all about business and crime.
Meloni discussed how he finds the “multifaceted relationship and engagement” between Benson and Stabler fulfilling.
Related
“I think it is very human in that faults of the characters come out, and their pasts come out and inform how they engage each other,” Meloni said. “And those are, to me, some of the cornerstones of what we built with these two.”
However, Hargitay described the relationship as “utterly effortless and utterly earned.” She also explained how Meloni left the show in May 2011, and it was agonizing due to not having closure.
Related
“We went through so much in the first 12 years and dug so deep and had a very full relationship and a very honest one and brave one,” Hargitay said. “I think we’re pretty locked in and dialed into each other, and so that’s been a joy and a pleasure to find.”
When asked about whether or not the two characters could be romantic with each other, Meloni said it could happen, but it would “have to be earned.”
“You have to be where they are right now and what they have to grapple with personally and professionally. And I would argue, especially Stabler, it’s miles down the road,” Meloni said.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram