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'Law & Order' Stars Mariska Hargitay And Christopher Meloni Nab Thief, Nearly Kiss While Presenting Primetime Emmy Award
The actors responsible for bringing Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler to life continue show off their chemistry ahead if an epic crossover event between the three "Law & Order" shows.
The stars of the hit NBC franchise “Law & Order” left fans wanting more as they presented the award for lead actor in a comedy series at the 74th annual Primetime Emmys Monday night.
There’s no denying the chemistry between actors Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni is off the charts, according to E! News. On Monday evening, the pair, known for the dynamic roles as NYPD detectives Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler, walked the red carpet from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Loni Love, co-host from “Live From E!” asked the question of long-yearning "Law & Order: SVU" fans since the show started in 1999: Will Benson and Stabler ever get together?
“You want the tea, baby?” Hargitay teased. “Sweetheart, get in line.”
Meloni added it was the most expensive tea money could buy.
Later in the evening, Hargitay and Meloni were back to their crime-solving ways during an Emmys skit with the pair chasing a masked bandit backstage. The bandit, trophy in hand, was apprehended just on stage by a uniformed character as Hargitay - holding her high heels over her shoulder - and Meloni walked downstage to present the award for best lead actor in a comedy.
“Wow, that’s pretty cool,” Meloni commented on the trophy.
“I’m good, I have two,” Hargitay joked.
“Mariska, we did it,” Meloni said before both replied “again” in unison.
They then leaned in and stopped just short of a kiss before presenting the nominees for the award.
(Spoiler: Jason Sudeikis won for his role on the Apple+ series “Ted Lasso”).
“Law & Order: SVU” has been the longest-running franchise spin-off since the original “Law & Order” series began in 1990. Created by Dick Wolf, the characters played by Hargitay and Meloni worked to solve “sexual based offenses” that are “considered especially heinous.”
Meloni stayed on the show for the first 12 seasons before departing in 2011, only to return in 2021 with the successful spin-off “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” reprising his role as Stabler, now working with the NYPD’s organized crime task force.
Hargitay has maintained her role as Benson since 1999 and shows no signs of stopping 23 seasons later - helping make “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” the longest-running live-action series of all time, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“The idea of this woman who is powerful and brave and passionate and a true force for good, and the sow is a vehicle for good, and I am beyond grateful,” Hargitay told E! from the red carpet.
The highly-anticipated crossover of the franchise "Law & Order," “SVU” and “Organized Crime” continues to make waves ahead of the three-hour crossover premiere event later this month. It marks the first time SVU "combines forces” with “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” according to TV Insider. Hargitay said it's "three squads, three hours, one case.” (Watch the trailer below.)
“It’s such a partnership between the shows and the fans,” Hargitay continued. “Because what they give us and what they share with us really infuses the stories we tell.”
The “Law & Order” crossover event will air from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22 on NBC. Cans can also catch up on all things "Law & Order" on Peacock.
