Meloni Discusses Stabler’s Near-Kiss with Benson Ahead of Season 5 Premiere

NEW YORK — Christopher Meloni, who portrays Detective Elliot Stabler on the hit series ‘Law & Order: Organized Crime,’ recently opened up about the ongoing tension between his character and Captain Olivia Benson, played by Mariska Hargitay, during a TVLine Spotlight event in New York City on April 17.

The actors are revisiting the will-they-won’t-they dynamic that has captivated fans for years, specifically looking back at the kitchen scene from ‘SVU‘s’ season 24. In that scene, years of romantic tension culminated in a near-kiss that left audiences breathless. “I’ll go into the kitchen thing,” Meloni said during his conversation. “Guys, we were attempting something. I don’t think it worked, but I’m not going to tell you why it didn’t work. Have your opinion.”

Meloni reflected on the scene where Stabler leaned in for a kiss, only for Benson to pull away. “I want to — I want to, but I can’t,” she told him, showcasing her fear of vulnerability. “Why not?” Stabler prompted, leading Benson to confess, “Because what if it doesn’t work out? I’m not ready for this.”

Commenting on the creative direction behind the show, Meloni candidly admitted, “Where they’re going, I have no idea. Understand this. I’ve had eight showrunners in about four seasons. Each new person comes in, they got their own ideas, they got their own views.”

Hargitay, who has often joked about the characters’ complicated relationship, had previously mentioned that both she and Meloni thought the scene should have unfolded differently but were overridden by higher-ups. “To be honest with you, Chris and I thought it should go one way and the powers that be didn’t, so it got changed at the last minute,” Hargitay recounted in a separate interview.

Meloni explained his intent to keep the dynamic genuine. “We’re doing the best we can to make it honest, not make it baited. If we do bait… I always do it with a wink,” he stated. His comments suggest a careful navigation of the fans’ expectations, while also expressing a desire for authenticity in storytelling.

The chemistry between Meloni and Hargitay is undeniable, but the conversation surrounding their characters’ romance remains complex. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see if the duo will finally resolve the lingering tension between Stabler and Benson in upcoming episodes of both ‘SVU’ and ‘Organized Crime’. “What can I tell you? You give us too much credit for the power that we might have,” Meloni said, acknowledging the speculative nature of the fans’ excitement.

As viewers prepare for the latest season, which airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, the anticipation for what’s next in their relationship only intensifies. The first two episodes of ‘Organized Crime’ Season 5 are available for streaming exclusively on Peacock.