The 2026 TV schedule won’t be without the Law & Order franchise, as both the Mothership series and SVU will be back this fall. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about Organized Crime, as the Chris Meloni-led spinoff was canceled by Peacock after five seasons. Fans have hoped for one thing since the cancellation, which is the return of Meloni’s Elliot Stabler. While nothing concrete has been announced, Meloni’s recent comments have me worried.

Since Meloni returned to the L&O franchise via Organized Crime in 2021, fans have been able to get reacquainted with Stabler, as well as his slow-burn relationship with Marsika Hargitay's Olivia Benson. On that same token, Meloni and Mariska Hargitay’s real-life friendship remains intact as well. The chemistry between the two stars is arguably why fans want to see Meloni back on SVU. Well, after seeing Meloni's vague response to Collider, fans may want to pump the brakes:

It’s definitely not unusual for characters from a canceled spinoff to still show up within the Law & Order franchise. Considering Meloni’s popularity and how beloved Stabler is, there's probably still a possibility that he pop up on SVU or even Law & Order next season. Nevertheless, his sentiments don't inspire much assurance right now.

SVU showrunner and executive producer Michele Fazekas previously weighed in on Meloni’s potential return, revealing that it wouldn’t make sense to just drop Stabler into an unimportant scene and have him appear just for the heck of it. She wants to bring him in “with a purpose.” Additionally, Fazekas expressed her interest in bringing the character back every once in a while, so it just has to be right for the story, which is understandable.

At the very least, fans may not be able to see Elliot Stabler any time soon, but Meloni will be back on screens before you know it. Last year, Meloni stars in the new Hulu drama, The Land, from This Is Us and Paradise creator Dan Fogelman. The series wrapped filming in April so, hopefully, that means the football-centered show will premiere sooner rather than later.

Even though Meloni's future as Elliot Stabler remains uncertain, I'll be doing my best to remain optimistic on that front. In the meantime, fans can get their fix by streaming classic episodes with a Peacock subscription. Both Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU will return for new seasons on Thursday, October 8 on NBC, streaming the next day on Peacock.

The vibe has been electric in New York City since the Knicks won their first NBA championship in 53 years. Fans have been soaking in the hype, and that includes celebrity followers of the team. At the same time, the players themselves have been riding high, especially star point guard (and Finals MVP) Jalen Brunson. To that point, Brunson shared his desire to appear on Law & Order: SVU. Now, one of the TV franchise’s biggest icons, Christopher Meloni, is sharing thoughts on Brunson’s bid to be on the show.

Christopher Meloni Weighs In On Jalen Brunson’s Law & Order: SVU Bid

Brunson revealed his L&O hopes when he was walking in the tunnel shortly after he and the Knicks claimed their 4-1 series victory over the San Antonio Spurs. When asked what he wanted to do since he’d achieved champion status, Brunson simply said he’d like to “try to go on SVU.” TMZ caught up with Christopher Meloni to get his thoughts on the three-time All-Star wanting to appear on the TV procedural he’s long been synonymous with. The Elliot Stabler actor is down for the idea, and he heaped a bit of praise on Brunson as well:

The “force of will” is right, as Brunson certainly imposed his will at Madison Square Garden not only during the NBA Finals but during the Knicks’ entire 2026 playoff run. I feel like it just makes too much sense for the former Villanova Wildcat to appear on the show. Plus, let’s not forget that during this playoff run, Brunson has forged a fast friendship of sorts with Olivia Benson actress Mariska Hargitay, who was cheering on the team in a big way and also attended the recent parade.

I wouldn’t be surprised if others were enthusiastic about the notion of seeing Hargitay’s Benson cross paths with a fictionalized version of Brunson. That aside, though, there’s still a question regarding whether SVU will welcome Meloni’s Stabler back for future episodes.

What’s Going On With Christopher Meloni’s Law & Order Future?

Meloni’s Law & Order: Organized Crime had been canceled after five seasons by Peacock in April. Since then, fans have been requesting that Stabler be brought back to SVU to reunite with Benson and his other cohorts. As of this writing, there’s been no official indication as to whether Stabler will appear on SVU, which will return to the 2026 TV schedule this fall for its 28th season. Despite the lack of a confirmation on Stabler’s hoped-for return, showrunner Michele Fazekas expressed interest in utilizing the character under the right circumstances.

Meloni hasn’t just been sitting on his hands and waiting for the phone to ring, though. In addition to rooting on the Knicks amid their championship run, Meloni also wrapped on his football-centric show, The Land, and it’s the latest drama series from Dan Fogelman. Meloni also recently worked with daughter Sophia on her short film, Chop Cheese.

But, even though Christopher Meloni is staying busy, I’m hopeful that he’ll be called upon to reprise his role as Stabler for Law & Order: SVU Season 28 and once again share the screen with longtime friend and co-star Mariska Hagitay. Let’s also keep our fingers crossed that Jalen Brunson’s wish to appear on the show is granted as well and, if so, I’d love for it to coincide with Meloni’s theoretical return. In the meantime, stream episodes of SVU and Organized Crime using a Peacock subscription.

After months of uncertainty, Elliot Stabler fans were disheartened to find out this past April that Peacock finally pulled the plug on Law & Order: Organized Crime. However, the show's lead, Christopher Meloni, doesn’t stay still for long, and his first role post-Organized Crime project happens to come with family ties. The longtime L&O alum will appear in his daughter, Sophia's, directorial debut alongside Daredevil: Born Again’s Michael Gandolfini, and he shared some lovely "proud dad" comments.

Following the addition of Law and Order: Organized Crime being added to the list of 2026's canceled TV shows, Meloni landed a pretty sweet role. The veteran makes a cameo as a bodega owner with a heavy New York accent in his daughter’s debut short film, Chop Cheese, which is set to premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Society’s Short Fest in late June. While speaking with Deadline, Meloni shared his rationale on accepting the part and, in the process, he shared some heartwarming praise for his up-and-coming filmmaker of a daughter:

Anyone who follows Meloni online knows how close he is with his family, especially his two kids, Sophia (25) and Dante Meloni (22). His Gen-Z children have clearly kept the Man of Steel actor up to date on social media etiquette and lingo and, in return, Meloni is constantly sharing hilarious text exchanges and relentlessly teasing them about his Zaddy status. I often feel like I’m even a part of the Meloni family group chat whenever their posts come across my feed.

Needless to say, I wasn’t surprised to find out that the Chop Cheese set was a whole family affair, including Meloni’s wife, production designer Sherman Williams, and Sophia Meloni’s cousin, Debunking Borat producer Lisa Rudin. In an even more delightful twist, the SVU actor’s work wife and co-star, close friend Mariska Hargitay, was also involved with the project and received a special thanks from her goddaughter in the credits.

Additionally, the film was inspired by Meloni’s son, as the main character closely follows a similar set of teenage life lessons Sophia Meloni observed her brother adhering to while growing up in NYC.

After watching a small exclusive snippet of Chop Cheese, I can’t help but wonder about what could've been a cool Law and Order opportunity for this father-daughter duo. Sophia Meloni, an English and Film graduate from Wesleyan, is clearly a talented writer and director, and I would have loved to see her work alongside her dad on an episode of Organized Crime.

Perhaps there is still an opportunity for such an L&O collaboration, given Meloni’s close ties to the SVU crew. Regardless, though, I don't think this will be the last time we see Meloni collaborate with his daughter. If I were Sophia, I’d be taking full advantage of my dad’s freed up schedule before he inevitably books his next big role.

On that note, Chris Meloni won’t be gone from our TV screens for long. The Snatched actor recently wrapped filming on the first season of Dan Fogelman’s upcoming TV drama, The Land. While I’m excited about Meloni's latest TV gig, I secretly hope Chop Cheese inspires him to return to his Wet Hot American Summer indie roots.

It’s no secret that since the first season of Law and Order: SVU, fans have been shipping Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler. And while the two have many iconic moments between them, there is one thing that has never happened. They have never kissed, much to the dismay of every fan. So when Mariska Hargitay was asked what advice she would give her character about the relationship, she gave fans exactly what they want to hear.

Fans have remained dedicated to the pairing of Benson and Stabler, even after Christopher Meloni left the show. Talk about never giving up. Even during the actor's absence, Hargitay has been asked repeatedly about the duo. So I wasn’t surprised when the relationship was brought up in her interview with Time. However, she didn’t hesitate to say:

But is that really what fans want to hear? When Christopher Meloni returned to the Law and Order universe, it finally seemed like Benson and Stabler would rise as a couple. It has yet to happen. With the actor’s stint on the short-lived Organized Crime, it was hard not to be hopeful for something more.

Seeing Benson and Stabler back together after so long nearly broke the internet. Since then, the two have reunited multiple times. And each time, the possibility of a kiss is teased a little more. Even Hargitay knows this, as evident by this exchange between her and a reporter:

• Interviewer: And you should kiss.
• Hargitay: And we should kiss. And then we should kiss. Always. It always ends like that!

Benson and Stabler’s reunions are always charged, always talked about, and always leave fans wanting more. The chemistry between the two actors is so obvious that even their SVU costars are shipping it, such as Ice-T who has previously stated he is all for Benson and Stabler hooking up. That’s just further proof that they belong together.

One of the most talked-about moments between them was a near-kiss in the kitchen that left fans screaming. However, Christopher Meloni argued that that wasn’t the right time for a kiss. And while his argument was valid, fans can’t help wondering, will there ever be a right time?

It doesn’t help that Mariska Hargitay has teased that there is a version of the characters that did kiss. The actor dished that the kiss was filmed, and even teased that it was a loving, lengthy one at that. But it didn’t get approved by Dick Wolf and the other executives. When Hargitay announced her Broadway debut, fans were briefly concerned that the end was near for the long-running series.

However, fans can remain hopeful that another team-up will happen since SVU was renewed for another season and is part of the 2026 TV schedule.

Who knows, maybe season 28 will be the season Benson and Stabler will finally kiss.

There were some big TV cancellations in April, and among them was Law & Order: Organized Crime. Christopher Meloni's L&O spinoff was officially axed by Peacock a year after it made its debut on NBCUniversal streamer following four seasons on NBC. While the show won’t be returning to NBC either, I’d love it if Meloni returned to SVU as Elliot Stabler, but the executive producer made some good points on that front.

When Organized Crime was canceled, a lot of fans had the same request, which was for Meloni to return to SVU. The budget for the long-running drama is reportedly tight right now, so much so that Ice-T has had to step back from multiple episodes since Kelli Giddish's return as series regular. Still, who’s to say that Stabler can’t still pop in from time to time? SVU showrunner Michele Fazekas told TV Insider that she was on board to bring back Stabler, but there are several key factors to consider, one of which is mentioned below:

Fazekas' logic definitely makes sense. As much as I want to see Stabler again, it would be best to wait to bring him back for an important scene, likely with Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson, rather than just bringing him on for fan service. Otherwise, it would just be a waste of viewers' time and obviously, Meloni's. The relationship between those two characters is so precious to fans, so considerable thought should be put into any future appearances from Stabler.

It's actually been a while since Stabler and Benson have shared space, and fans are as anxious as ever to see them together, whether that be in a platonic situation or a romantic one. They had an almost-kiss a few seasons ago, and it was clear that they would always care for one another. Whether or not their relationship will ever turn into something more is unknown but, at the very least, Fazekas has been trying to get Meloni to appear on SVU to satisfy fans. It just hasn’t worked out:

Now that Meloni is working on his new Hulu show, The Land, it might be even harder to get him to appear on SVU, even for just an episode or a couple of scenes. Even though it’s been hard to get Meloni to come back, Fazekas knows how important the Benson and Stabler relationship is. With SVU heading into its 28^th season later this year, there's definitely still time for Stabler to reappear, but the EP still has some reasonable thoughts for those who desire that:

As much as I’m excited for Christopher Meloni’s new show, I really do hate that it’s seemingly cutting into his SVU time. Hopefully, he’ll be able to find some time to swing by the set and film some scenes once production begins on Season 28 of the Law & Order offshoot. For now, though, it seems like viewers will just have to temper their expectations.

If anything, fans can always look back at their favorite Bensler moments by streaming Law & Order: SVU with a Peacock subscription, Organized Crime is also available to watch on the streamer.

Don’t you wonder sometimes why it seems like the people in charge of our favorite TV shows seem dead-set against doing the thing that audiences want the most? Take the Law & Order-verse, for instance, where viewers have spent literal decades clamoring for Mariska Hargitay’s SVU lead Olivia Benson to get together with Christopher Meloni’s Elliot Stabler. Back in Season 24, the ep “Blood Out” finally reached a romantic precipice, but only resulted in a wildly invigorating-plus-frustrating near-kiss moment.

Despite that episode airing more than three years ago, the biggest Benson and Stabler shippers will never forget about it. And Mariska Hargitay just made it that much harder to not dwell on for years to come, as the actress confirmed she and Meloni did indeed film their characters sharing a loving, if not lengthy, kiss. So what happened? It apparently didn’t pass muster with Dick Wolf and other execs. How DARE.

Hargitay spoke with The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast ahead of Law & Order: SVU’s Season 27 finale hitting the 2026 TV schedule, and shared that she and Meloni had the freedom to perform the scene in different ways, even if they didn't get final say. In her words:

The actress then brilliantly stoked the crowd, and earned some big cheers in the process, before addressing why the kiss never made it to our eyeballs.

For whatever baffling reason, the editors and other powers that be chose to use the near-kiss take for the final cut. But for as and powerful as it was, I have to imagine that the unused scene was literally singed up and turning to ash as soon as the cameras stopped rolling. Because it's so hot, you see?

Mariska Hargitay had zero issues with defending her and Meloni's beliefs for why they felt this was the right time for these two characters to make that physical connection. As she put it:

To be sure, I'm not even of the notion that Benson and Stabler's kiss would actually lead to anything substantial, since the noted complexities would make it nearly impossible for the duo to survive as a proper couple. But still, the catharsis!

Like a genius, Hargitay left a vocal olive branch for fans, indicating that something could still happen one day. But then laughingly shot it all down again by pointing to franchise overlord Dick Wolf, saying:

The future could indeed be pointed in that direction, considering Meloni's spinoff Law & Order: Organized Crime was canceled by Peacock this month, leaving fans clamoring for Stabler to make another timely return to SVU later in the year and/or beyond.

Find Law & Order: SVU's Season 27 finale airing on NBC on May 14, at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Though NBC’s pair of Law & Order series remain lawful and orderly in the broadcast realm, the franchise’s latest streaming push was cut short, as Law & Order: Organized Crime was canceled at Peacock. It was a blow to fans, but arguably a bigger blow to the cast and crew putting it together. At least Christopher Meloni was able to keep good company in the aftermath of the news, in the forms of Mariska Hargitay and Rachel McAdams.

Not that it’s completely unheard of for Meloni and Hargitay to be hanging out well beyond the sets of any and all procedural dramas; their off-screen friendship has gone a long way to keeping fans so interested in their characters Stabler and Benson sharing a lusty and romantic future together, despite all odds. (I mean, the actual crossover appearances haven’t hurt.) But this get-together comes at an awkward and bittersweet crossroads, so soon after he learned his latest run as the dutiful investigator was extinguished. Check it out below.

It’s impossible to tell that anyone in those photos is dealing with a career setback, but I can imagine it’d be hard to hold anything but a smile on one’s face while sharing a meal with this trio. (Despite his endlessly stern looks within the L&O world, his comedy chops in the Wet Hot American Summer movie and Netflix series is top-notch.) Now, would it have been fun to see Hargitay and McAdams wiping tears from either side of Meloni’s face with napkins? “Fun” might be too far, but “unique” counts, I think.

The comment section was unsurprisingly lit up with fans and followers’ excited reactions to seeing the trio spending time together, with a couple of familiar faces among them.

• ❤️❤️ - DEBI MAZAR
• My two favorites. Miss you both! - NICKY TORCHIA
• How about you work part time on SVU as Olivia’s partner. Her other half. ;) We can’t not ever see Stabler again. He’s the stabler! - @mwkline
• Stable BETTER end up w Olivia in svu I swear!!!!😍😩 - @mrsrachelcecil
• Yea yall look good together on and off tv 😍 - @deena_dean
• JUSTICE FOR ELIOTT STABLER!! - @paigeclewiis
• She needs to convince Dick Wolf to bring elliot to svu again. 🥹😭 cause peacock and wolf is f-n up…AGAIN - @future_so0_bright
• I’m just going to pretend this is Olivia and Stabler having a romantic dinner and planning their wedding. - @daniplz12
• What’s Regina George doing with them?! - @jonatan_huazano

I’d much prefer these kinds of happy posts, compared to, say, Meloni looking back on 17 years of playing Elliot Stabler (non-continuously) and making me feel all sad and extremely old simultaneously. But I’ll take more of those as well, because duh.

One silver lining here is that Meloni was able to gab it up with Hargitay and McAdams because he was still in Los Angeles fresh off of finishing up the production on the new series The Land, the football-centric new drama from This Is Us and Paradise creator Dan Fogelman. So we'll hopefully see him popping up later in the 2026 TV schedule, even if it isn't as Elliot Stabler.

Although let’s be real: unless Chris Meloni has heaps of unreported beef with someone behind the scenes of this franchise, the chances are extremely high that he’ll show up again in some capacity on Law & Order: SVU in a future season, even if it doesn’t happen immediately. Until then, the Law & Order franchise is available to stream via Peacock subscription.

It may only be April, but 2026 has already handed out some tough cancellations. The latest big shocker was Law & Order: Organized Crime, which has officially been axed after five seasons, and after it moved to Peacock last year. While that show is done, Christopher Meloni is not, as he just wrapped his follow-up.

Meloni has stayed busy amidst the hiatus from Organized Crime while the wait continued on the drama’s future. Last year, he nabbed the lead role as an NFL coach in Hulu’s football drama The Land from This Is Us and Paradise creator Dan Fogelman. Filming has finally completed, as Meloni shared on his Instagram, and honestly, the timing couldn’t be better:

Of course, Meloni has done other roles aside from Elliot Stabler, but it’s definitely going to be hard to see him on a new show, especially now that Organized Crime won’t be coming back. But seeing pictures from set and knowing that The Land will be coming soon with a Hulu subscription now that filming has wrapped, I am getting a little bit more excited. Still, that doesn’t mean I’m less upset about Organized Crime.

That being said, even with Organized Crime canceled and Meloni seemingly moving on with a new show, this may not be the end of Elliot Stabler. Law & Order: SVU has been renewed for Season 28, meaning there’s more chances for Elliot to pop up. His relationship with Olivia has been the talk of the town since 1999, even more so since OC premiered. It can be assumed that SVU will continue utilizing Elliot, whether with Meloni making a cameo or name-drops here and there. That’s the hope, at least, because I’m not ready to let go of Elliot and Olivia just yet.

Meanwhile, fans should get excited for The Land. Also starring William H. Macy, Mandy Moore, Chloe Bennet, Chace Crawford, Sam Corlett, and Tanner Zagarino, the series follows an NFL team while also exploring generational family. As of now, a premiere date has not been given, but it can be assumed that news is right around the corner since filming has wrapped. On the plus side, fans won’t have to worry about The Land interfering with Organized Crime or vice versa, even though the alternative would have definitely been better.

Those still mourning Law & Order: Organized Crime can always watch the series in full with a Peacock subscription. It is still heartbreaking that the show is coming back, but when one door closes, another one opens, and that has definitely happened with Meloni. It’s only a matter of time before the rest of the cast lands other roles, if that hasn’t started happening already. The Land will be coming soon to Hulu.

Law & Order: Organized Crime fans were dealt a serious blow this week when Peacock announced it will not heed fans’ desperate cries for a Season 6 renewal. The Season 5 finale of the Christopher Meloni-led series dropped last summer, and as this appears to be the end of Elliot Stabler’s story after “nearly 17 odd years,” Meloni shared some emotional thoughts on the latest big TV cancellation.

Christopher Meloni reflected on his time playing Elliot Stabler, which started on Law & Order: SVU in 1999, and he was on the show until 2011. In 2020, it was announced he would reprise the character for Law & Order: Organized Crime, which streamed with a Peacock subscription. He took to Instagram with a message of thanks to the fans, which you can see below:

That’s really tough to watch and drives home how important this role was for Christopher Meloni. Several times in the video, he had to pause before speaking, and despite keeping a positive tone, his eyes appeared to well up with tears as he said:

Upon news of the cancellation, many fans immediately called for Christopher Meloni to return to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which received its Season 28 renewal just as the bad news was coming for Organized Crime. Meloni has returned to SVU several times in recent seasons, which is always a delight for fans who want to see a romance between Stabler and Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson.

Law & Order: SVU has teased a Bensler relationship for years, and it’s not hard to see why, given the intense chemistry between the two actors and the years of history their characters share. Things went so far in an episode last year that the two almost kissed.

Only time will tell if this is the end of Elliot Stabler or if there are plans to continue his story on a different series in the Law & Order universe. We only know for sure that it won’t be on Law & Order: Organized Crime.

The spinoff premiered in 2021, airing 75 episodes with Christopher Meloni’s co-stars, including Ainsley Seiger, Danielle Moné Truitt and Rick Gonzalez. There may not be any new episodes coming, but fans can still enjoy Law & Order: Organized Crime’s five seasons, as well as the other franchise offerings, on Peacock.

Peacock announced it's pulling the plug on Law & Order: Organized Crime, bringing the series to an end after Season 5. Fans' pleas for a Season 6 renewal fell upon deaf ears. Now that it's over, fans are already plotting for when we'll see Christopher Meloni's Elliot Stabler again.

Deadline reported the cancellation, and while there will still be more of the Law & Order franchise on the 2026 TV schedule, the story for Stabler's standalone series is tentatively over. Of course, there's always a possibility that another crossover happens with Special Victims Unit, which is exactly what fans are suggesting.

Law & Order Fans Want Stabler Back In SVU

With Christopher Meloni's spinoff over, it's no surprise that Law & Order fans are already campaigning for him to go elsewhere. For every reaction disappointed about the cancellation, there are just as many requesting to see Stabler return to SVU:

• GOD DAMN IT!!! WE BETTER STILL HAVE STABLER MENTIONS/APPEARANCES IN SVU. WE CAN'T LOSE HIM AGAIN #SVU - @Sgriffiths_17
• I only enjoyed the first season with Dylan McDermott as a mob boss, rest of seasons been quite meh. Just bring Stabler back to SVU… - @lexveraux
• I had a feeling this was coming in a way, but thought maybe it would get a S6, and that be the Final Season, hopefully #LawandOrderSVU brings on Stabler and some of the characters in future episodes. - @k50cullen
• @NBCUniversal @WolfEnt I would like to remind you that SVU still exists and you do NOT need to let the character Elliot Stabler drop off the face of the earth for 10 years again. - @ashleyyxeo
• I will miss this show! Chris Meloni was excellent - as was the supporting cast. I hope Stabler can return to SVU soon. - @LawrenceHughes

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is still rolling on strong over at NBC, and one has to imagine Christopher Meloni's Stabler would always have a home there. Of course, the character was absent for quite a long stretch, so I get why so many are being loud about seeing him return to the series.

Fans Want Benson And Stabler Back Together

Bringing Stabler back to Law & Order: SVU is only part of the mission, it seems, because it's all about seeing him back together again with Olivia Benson. I'm not surprised, considering people lost their minds when the two characters almost kissed. People want real resolution between the characters, and some payoff to the years of tension between them.

Of course, Law & Order has notoriously teased this romance for years, and its foundation is built on the chemistry of Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay. I'm holding out hope that this cancellation will have a silver lining in Meloni returning to SVU, though we'll all have to wait and see if it actually happens.

Law & Order Thursday resumes with new episodes on NBC on Thursday, April 23rd. SVU was just renewed for Season 28, so there will be opportunities for Stabler to show up, should the writers have a reason for it to happen.

A lot of stars from the Law & Order franchise have been gracing our screens for many, many years. After Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T and Christopher Meloni are two of the longest-running actors in the franchise, and while they may not be in many scenes together anymore, Ice-T still loves filming with Meloni when possible, at least when it comes to a particular type of scene.

Ice-T and Meloni starred together on Law & Order: SVU for about 10 seasons, and have since occasionally worked together when Meloni began starring on Law & Order: Organized Crime. So every time Fin and Stabler are together these days, it’s entertaining, especially when the two really get at it. The rapper previously told NBC in a behind-the-scenes interview that his favorite scenes to shoot with Meloni are complete opposites of each other:

Fin and Stabler’s partnership throughout SVU was fun to watch because you never knew what to expect, especially when they butted heads on something. And even now, they don’t always see eye to eye. Considering Ice-T and Meloni are friends in real life, I can imagine how fun it is to act like they don’t like each other and fight, even though it’s usually pretty brief. But it’s what makes it all the more entertaining:

There have been less Fin and Stabler moments now that Organized Crime is now on Peacock, and the streamer has yet to announce a sixth season of the series. But that hasn’t stopped crossovers from still happening, and it’s possible more will be on the way as SVU’s 27^th season continues its run on the 2026 TV schedule. If anything, it’s likely fans haven’t seen the last of Fin and Stabler fighting and then making up and solving a case together, but those with a Peacock subscription can rewatch all of their favorite moments.

Aside from Organized Crime’s move to Peacock, there is another reason fans should be expecting less Fin and Stabler moments. Ice-T hasn’t been appearing in many SVU episodes this season due to the fact that the budget is a little tighter after Kelli Giddish returned as a series regular. The beginning of the season explained it as Fin getting hurt and having to recover, and he did eventually come back before the first half of the season ended. But how many episodes he’ll appear in for the remainder of the season remains to be seen.

Whatever happens, it wouldn’t be surprising if Fin and Stabler’s next on-screen moment came with some fighting and some love. Law & Order is definitely unpredictable, but that’s what makes the entire franchise entertaining, especially after over three decades, and Fin and Stabler are just two characters that always seem to shake things up.

The 99^th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade brought out the stars, floats, and balloons on Thursday, as part of the 2025 TV schedule, including some surprises. This included Law & Order icons Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni. And I love that their appearance came with them rocking the viral Starbucks bear glass.

Earlier this month, to get customers ready for the holidays, Starbucks released a glass bear cup that included a straw and a little cute Starbucks hat as the lid. The company only released very limited quantities in every store. People were waiting in line for hours before the café opened and were going nuts over the collectible. So much so that some were detailing their experiences on TikTok, and even sharing how baristas bought them or hid them before customers had a chance.

Of course, with their NBC connection and promotion of Starbucks, Hargitay and Meloni were each able to get their hands on a Bearista cup. Meloni couldn’t help but show off their cups on Instagram, and I have an inkling that even if it wasn’t for a promotion, he would still proudly show off the cup because who wouldn’t?

Both Hargitay and Meloni popped up during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to promote Starbucks, which was on the parade route. During their appearance, they talked about the different flavors that Starbucks has and wanted to give some hot drinks to the crowd outside, which were later shown holding Starbucks cups – just not the Bearista ones.

It’s unknown if these cups are actually Hargitay and Meloni’s or if they were just for show, but either way, I’m absolutely loving it. As long as these cups don’t find their way to Law & Order by way of a Game of Thrones-like mistake.

Meanwhile, it’s always great to see Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni together, regardless of the reason. The two have been close since the very beginning of Law & Order: SVU, when their audition sparked instant chemistry. Even with Organized Crime moving to Peacock, Olivia and Elliot have still managed to find their way to each other on both shows. Whether or not that will continue into the new year as SVU Season 27 continues is unknown, but it wouldn’t be surprising if fans saw Elliot again.

With the holiday season in full force, some people may be lucky enough to curl up with their Starbucks Bearista cup and settle in with some Law & Order, streaming with a Peacock subscription. There are many Olivia and Elliot moments that fans can look back on and plenty of moments that Hargitay and Meloni will continue to bring in the new year, whether on screen or on social media, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for them.

Law and Order: Special Victims Unit is back for Season 27, and along with new episodes on the 2025 TV schedule comes a whole new season of hungrily hoping for new Bensler moments. The former SVU detective duo has been to hell and back together, flirting with death and romance along the way. They are one of the best will-they-won’t-they character duos of all time, and Christopher Meloni got surprisingly candid about what makes them so sexy to audiences.

There’s no doubt that Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni make a sexy on-screen duo. Part of it is their attractiveness; there is no denying that, but the thing that really keeps me coming back for more is the chemistry the actors have shared since their audition. The Snatched actor recently got honest with People about what makes Bensler so sexy, and his answer goes beyond just chemistry:

It’s probably clear to anyone who watches the show that Benson and Stabler have always had chemistry since day one. That chemistry eventually developed into a love and loyalty so strong that they were separated for a brief period in Season 7 for choosing each other over their case.

Of course, there are always moments where the audience is left to wonder: Does their love for each other ever dip into romance? The detective duo’s will-they-won’t-they thing existed for nearly their entire time together on SVU, and it has always been one of the most appealing aspects of the show for me (it’s why the early seasons are my favorite).

When audiences saw Stabler return to the Law & Order universe with Organized Crime, where his wife Kathy was killed in the crossover with SVU, many thought Bensler was finally going to happen. However, Detective Elliot Stabler has been back for five seasons now, and the two still have yet to finally go there, although they aren’t ignoring their feelings anymore. To that point, the Wet Hot American Summer actor got honest about the likelihood of the longtime friends becoming something more:

It’s been a hard watch too, as a fan. It’s mostly silent shared looks, awkward undercover situations that require them to pretend to be lovers, and risking their lives, families, and jobs for each other, which is pretty damn romantic if you ask me. The closest they’ve actually come to getting together, though, was a near kiss in Season 24 of SVU. I’m talking their lips were inches apart, but the timing wasn't right, and so Benson pulled back.

Now, time is running out on a Bensler happily ever after. While SVU was renewed for Season 27, Organized Crime is still in limbo, awaiting its fate on Peacock. We last saw the ex-partners reunite in the SVU Season 27 premiere, along with a number of other familiar faces like Dr. George Huang (B.D. Wong) and Det. Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters), to attend OG SVU Captain Cragen’s memorial. Before they parted ways, Stabler told Liv he loved her, a line that was ad-libbed by Meloni. To me, though, there is no romantic weight to it.

I’m not sure where this leaves the two of them, but here’s my SVU hot take: I don’t think I want them to get together. They clearly are very important to each other, but if the Season 24 near kiss confirmed anything for me, it's that their relationship is almost too far past romantic to actually be romantic. It seems to me that the Happy! actor feels similarly when he says it would be “hard” and “difficult” for the two detectives to be a couple.

As for their future, Meloni’s wish for the pair is simple, and it’s the least they deserve after all the trauma they’ve been through:

If they ended up together in the end, I don’t think I’d be mad. I just hope the writers don’t force it, and they do it in the right way. However, Benson has to retire for any rides off into the sunset to take place, and I don’t see that happening soon. Mariska Hargitay has been playing SVU’s badass female lead for nearly 30 years, and I just can’t picture the Dick Wolf drama without her. I definitely think that when that happens, though, Christopher Meloni will be by her side.

For years now, Law & Order franchise star Christopher Meloni has been coined a “Zaddy,” and he has certainly been basking in it on the 2025 TV schedule. He knows that he’s a Zaddy and has even been in full Zaddy mode while filming Law & Order: Organized Crime. One of the aspects of being a Zaddy is making sure he is as fit as ever, and after hearing his routine for the last 50 years, I’m amazed that he’s stuck to it.

Meloni is arguably one of the best-looking actors of his age, hence why people think he’s a Zaddy. The actor, 64, spoke to Amy Poehler on her Good Hang podcast when she asked him how he stays so fit as he prepares to star as an NFL coach in an upcoming Hulu drama from This Is Us and Paradise creator Dan Fogelman. He admitted he works out four or five days a week, but that’s not even the craziest part:

Not surprisingly, Poehler was astounded at the fact that Meloni has worked out so much and hasn’t stopped. Of course, it can be assumed that it’s not the same routine every single day, and he's tried some different workout methods, but it’s still incredible that he’s kept at it for half a century and most of his life. The Parks and Rec star hilariously said it “sounds like a nightmare,” and Meloni couldn’t agree more:

Considering Meloni likely has to do a lot of training and has to stay fit for Law & Order, anyway, it makes sense that he’d have to keep up the routine over the last two decades. But the last five decades is pretty impressive, especially knowing that he’s been doing this since he was a teenager. He doesn’t seem to have plans to slow down any time soon, and even though it’s a nightmare for him, it’s part of who he is, and it would be strange for him to just stop.

I would love to know his workout regimen, even though I have no intention on following in his footsteps because that would certainly be too much for me. But props to him for keeping it going for 50 years, and who knows how much longer. It just shows that when you set your mind to it, anything is possible, no matter how much of a nightmare it may be.

Fans can see what that workout routine has done for Meloni, with all episodes of Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order: Organized Crime streaming with a Peacock subscription. He will soon be starring in a new football drama at Hulu, and that will probably just ramp up his workout routine, but it will be worth it.

Law & Order: SVU is in its 27^th season on the 2025 TV schedule, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. It’s hard to believe that the show has been around since 1999, and it’s still bringing in fans. That being said, SVU wouldn’t be what it is without Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni, who had instant chemistry during their audition. Now, the Olivia Benson actress is giving more details about that audition, and the hilarious story involves a John Slattery mix-up and jokes about Jesus.

When Hargitay appeared on Amy Poehler’s podcast Good Hang, the host asked her about her first days on SVU and if meeting Dick Wolf was "scary." The actress explained that it wasn't, and that led her into the story about her "magical" audition with Meloni. She pointed out that she and her co-star bonded over their similar personalities and sense of humor, and the two ended up getting paired up for the callback. She said:

However, initially, she didn't think she'd be paired with Meloni; she thought she would be with John Slattery.

Poehler and Hargitay both shared how chemistry reads can make or break auditions and your chance to be on a show. So, when the actress heard that Slattery was at the audition, she wanted to do everything she could to impress him and bond with him. However, she wasn’t paired with him...as she explained:

As Poehler continued laughing, Hargitay continued her story, revealing that she didn’t know there were going to be 47 people in the room. So the initial back-and-forth between her and Meloni was a bit awkward. However, once she found out the real reason he had a Jesus tattoo, she knew she liked him, as she recalled:

I just love that a joke as ridiculous as that one is what really cemented their bond and made Hargitay know that her eventual co-star was guy she'd get along with. It’s certainly a different reason to have a Jesus tattoo, but that turned out to be for the better. And it was in that moment that Hargitay knew the show had found its Elliot Stabler:

Hargitay wasn’t the only one who felt that way, as Meloni had a similar thought about her. And when they were paired up, she knew immediately they were partners. Her feelings turned out to be right. To this day, the actors are best friends and always joking with each other, and it’s always a treat when Benson and Stabler are on-screen together as their relationship continues to be a “Will they/won’t they?” scenario.

It's hard to imagine how different SVU would have been had Hargitay been paired up with John Slattery. Not that he wouldn’t be a good Stabler, but Meloni as Stabler and Hargitay as Benson just worked out, and they’re definitely part of the reason why SVU has been going so long. It was just an instant connection, even if their relationship wasn't so great in the early years.

Ever since Law & Order: Organized Crime made the jump to Peacock and premiered on the 2025 TV schedule, fans have been itching for more Bensler, and they’ve been getting their wishes on more than one occasion. The first time was when Benson visited Stabler in the hospital in the second episode of OC’s fifth season, and they worked together a bit on a case. Then, SVU just tied up that loose end in the latest episode. But there actually could have been more scenes included between them on Organized Crime that didn’t make the cut.

It's always a treat whenever Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni are able to work together, and not just because of their characters’ slow-burn relationship. It’s nice to see them working together and spending time with each other, which is why when the opportunity came up for Hargitay to appear on the latest season of Organized Crime, Meloni was all in and even offered to write, as he told TVLine when asked about the logistics of his colleague's appearance:

Meloni explained that he had incorporated her throughout the whole script, and while he wouldn’t go into details of what specifically he had written, it was a lot more than what we got. He explained that when it came time for approval, Hargitay’s time was limited, and they were dealt a devastating blow:

It’s not surprising that they couldn’t get Hargitay for more than three days because she was also filming SVU at the time, and it’s hard to balance the schedule, even with the shows filming in the same vicinity. So he immediately had to come up with a new plan, saying:

He had to cut her out of a lot of scenes and rework storylines, which is definitely disappointing, but again, it’s not so surprising considering how busy Hargitay was. It’s even a miracle they were able to get her for three days.

Meloni did eventually go into some specifics, revealing that towards the end of the episode, where it was Stabler and Jet going on a hunt, it was actually originally different:

When asked how they could collaborate on future episodes, Meloni hilariously answered, “Girlfriend has a day job.” I so wish that they were able to get more scenes for Organized Crime, and I hope they get more moments on SVU, especially following that “I love you” moment in the Season 27 premiere.

However, hearing the logistics behind the appearances and how hard it is to really lock down days makes me grateful for the Bensler scenes we’ve been able to get thus far. Organized Crime has not yet been renewed for Season 6, but Season 27 of SVU airs on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, followed by Season 5 of Organized Crime, which is available to stream in full with a Peacock subscription.

NBC’s Law & Order Thursdays are back in the fall 2025 TV schedule, with the original series kicking off Season 25 with an unceremonious cast exit and SVU killing off a beloved character to start Season 27. This year, Organized Crime is back in primetime despite making the move to streaming for viewers with a Peacock subscription earlier this year. NBC is airing an F-bomb-free version of Season 5 on Thursday nights, and any fans who loved Christopher Meloni’s appearance in SVU’s premiere won’t want to miss the next episode of OC that will air with Mariska Hargitay as a guest star.

Christopher Meloni’s SVU Ad-Lib

The one perk of SVU’s premiere killing off Dann Florek’s Captain Don Cragen (who had been in the franchise going back to Law & Order’s pilot) was that it led to some reunions from classic seasons of the show. BD Wong was back as Dr. George Huang, Dean Winters reprised his role as Brian Cassidy, and Christopher Meloni made his long-awaited return to share the screen with Mariska Hargitay as the Stabler to her Benson.

Benson and Stabler shared a bittersweet moment outside of Cragen’s memorial gathering, reflecting on their years working together when he was their captain. It was exactly the kind of comfortable interaction that I was missing between the former partners during all the tension of the first few seasons following his return to NYC. The scene ended with Stabler dropping a “Love you” on Benson, in a much more appropriate setting than the first time he did it, before she drove away.

And as it turns out, fans have Christopher Meloni to thank for that moment. On X (formerly known as Twitter), the actor responded to a fan asking for a comment on the “Love you” by revealing that it was an “Ad lib” that “Made the cut.”

As somebody who loves when Meloni and Mariska Hargitay share the screen but definitely doesn’t need a romance out of their characters, the ad lib really worked for me, and reminded me of the last time that I’d seen the duo on screen together on Organized Crime.

Mariska Hargitay’s Episode Of Organized Crime Season 5

Now, I won’t spoil the events of Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 here for any who are watching for the first time on NBC rather than streamed it on Peacock over the summer, but Mariska Hargitay’s guest appearance was highly hyped ahead of time. As NBC viewers recently saw with the Season 5 premiere, Stabler ended the episode in a car crash, and the promo afterward showed that he 1) ends up in the hospital and 2) is not happy to be in the hospital.

And of course, Mariska Hargitay appears as Olivia Benson. Without getting into big spoilers, I’ll say that Benson and Stabler’s interactions in this episode of Organized Crime might be my favorites from any of the years since Meloni returned to the Law & Order world in 2021. And that's despite my soft spot for their relationship in SVU’s Season 24 finale! It also delivers something that I’ve wanted for a long time: Benson meeting one of Stabler’s brothers.

Basically, if you enjoyed Christopher Meloni adding a "Love you” to the SVU Season 27 premiere, I think you’ll enjoy seeing how Benson and Stabler interact in the second episode of Law & Order: Organized Crime, which will air on NBC on Thursday, October 2 at 10 p.m. ET. If you’d rather see it sooner, you can find it streaming on Peacock now. (If you’ve already seen it, check out what Dean Norris told us about one of my favorite scenes.)

Stars from all three current Law & Order shows came together ahead of the 2025 TV schedule returns for the 77th Primetime Emmys to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the franchise, with Special Victims Unit’s Mariska Hargitay placed front and center on stage as the one star who has been with her show from the very beginning in 1999. The actors got giggly behind the scenes, as Organized Crime’s Christopher Meloni shared a cute video of Hargitay teasing him about never winning an Emmy… and then belatedly realizing that he was recording her.

While none of the Law & Order shows had scored any nominations for the 2025 Primetime Emmys, SVU’s Mariska Hargitay remains the franchise’s only star to win an Emmy as a lead actor, taking home the trophy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2006. Back in his days as an SVU co-lead, Christopher Meloni was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series that same year, but lost to Kiefer Sutherland for 24.

The two are longtime friends, and that friendship was clear in the unfiltered video that Meloni shared from behind the scenes at the Emmys. Take a look at the second slide of his Instagram post for the clip:

I’m not sure what my favorite part of the video is, but the top two candidates are the look on Mariska Hargitay’s face (followed by her laughter) when she realized that Christopher Meloni recorded her saying that he'd "never" win an Emmy, and him gleefully saying “And she curses!” to the camera after her “Oh shit!” reaction. It’s definitely a fun contrast to how they presented themselves on stage. (The Emmys are available streaming with a Paramount+ subscription, while SVU can be found with a Peacock subscription.)

Hargitay and Meloni kept straight faces and stayed on script during the Law & Order segment of the Emmys alongside current Law & Order star Tony Goldwyn, former Law & Order star (and current Chicago Med series regular) S. Epatha Merkerson, and SVU’s Ice-T. Those straight faces were nowhere to be seen behind the scenes with the two pals walking by a tray full of Emmys, and now I’m even more excited to see Meloni reprising his role as Elliot Stabler opposite Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson in the upcoming SVU Season 27.

As for whether Meloni will ever win an Emmy… well, the wait is currently on for Law & Order: Organized Crime to be renewed for Season 6, so let’s cross our fingers for that news before anything else! Meloni also shared a photo of the full SVU reunion, with Ice-T sporting a big smile:

These three stars don’t often have reasons to smile like this when playing their characters in the franchise, especially Ice-T and Mariska Hargitay when their show is about – to quote the opening narration – ”sexually based offenses” that are “considered especially heinous.” So, it’s nice to see them dressed to the nines and looking happy in real life.

All three stars will be back in primetime this fall, and not just with Meloni making an appearance on his old show. On NBC’s Thursday nights, Law & Order Season 25 airs at 8 p.m. ET, Law & Order: SVU Season 27 airs at 9 p.m. ET, and Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 (which is already available streaming on Peacock) will air at 10 p.m. ET. Tune in to NBC on Thursday, September 25 to see the first new episodes since back in the spring!

Twenty-six years is a long time to wait for pretty much anything, and that’s especially true when it comes to television fans who’ll go into the 2025 TV schedule longing for two of their favorite characters to finally (FINALLY!!?) hook up already. This is what millions of Bensler shippers have been going through since they first saw the palpable will-they-won’t-they-when-will-they sexual tension between Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson and Christopher Meloni’s Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: SVU way back in 1999. Co-star Ice-T has seen the on-screen relationship since Season 2, and while he’s on board the Bensler ship with the rest of us, he also has some tough love for fans who ask for it.

What Did Law & Order: SVU’s Ice-T Say About A Benson/Stabler Romance And The Couple's Fans?

When Law & Order: SVU viewers found out that Olivia Benson and her former partner/friend Elliot Stabler were going to be reunited in 2021, many of us were in a tizzy over the potential romantic hopes that had been renewed. Alas, with the exception of an emotional and notable near-kiss a couple of years ago (which really annoyed fans), we’ve gotten bupkis (a.k.a. the wrong kind of “kiss”). Now, long-time SVU star Ice-T has shared his view on the possible romance with Entertainment Weekly, and said:

Man, there are so many people who are rooting for him to succeed here, right? If there are two things that SVU (which will enter another record-breaking set of episodes this fall when Season 27 hits NBC) fans know, it’s that not only are the powers that be not ready to have Benson and Stabler romance one another actively, but Hargitay and Meloni are also really good buddies off screen, who’ve always acknowledged their “good chemistry” on camera and off.

With that, you might think this whole “Olivia and Elliot sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g” situation should be a slam dunk, particularly now that we KNOW they’re both into each other. Well, Ice-T noted that while there are additional positives that could help things along, there are also some potential reasons to keep the duo apart in all horizontal ways:

Yes, yes…Obviously one of the reasons that people keep watching is not just because of all those ripped-from-the-headlines stories, but the desperate hope that our romantic notions of a world where Benson and Stabler end their long days at work and come home to each other will be fulfilled at some point. Are they just stringing us along for the ratings?!?!

As we all ponder that possibility, the hit-making rapper also had some blunt words for every fan who’s dying to see some Bensler action:

Basically, if those in charge are simply uninterested in having Olivia and Elliot give in to their passion, it’s not gonna happen. While I can see that reality check helping some shippers calm way down, after nearly 30 years, I don’t think it’s going to completely stop most of us from hoping the hard-working detectives go there ASAP.

Law & Order: SVU is entering its 27^th season on the 2025 TV schedule, and it’s hard to believe how long the show has been around for. The Dick Wolf drama premiered in 1999 on NBC and has become a staple on the network. Ice-T recently posted a picture from the set of Season 27, and now Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni are celebrating by recalling their first lines on the show. And their reactions are A+.

Hargitay and Meloni were the original duo on SVU, both making their debuts in the first episode of the series. They have been through a lot since then, with Meloni making the switch to his own spinoff, which is streaming with a Peacock subscription. To show just how much they have been through, the actors were asked by NBC to call their first lines ever on SVU, and it makes me love them even more:

The fact that they were both able to remember their first lines spoken after 26 years is pretty impressive. Of course, it can be assumed they have watched the pilot more than a few times over the years, but filming something that ultimately changed your life is different. It’s not surprising that they were able to remember their lines since it’s probably stuck with them, but it is fun to see their reactions to it and seeing that they were right.

There’s also the fact that Hargitay and Meloni remember the exact setup and other lines in the scene, and it’s making me want to go back and rewatch the first episode. Additionally, I love that Hargitay’s first line on SVU was literally “Olivia Benson.” It just foreshadowed how iconic she would become and how iconic she still is after all these years. Back then, they probably never knew that almost 30 years later, they’d still be playing the same characters and become two of the longest-running actors in the Law & Order franchise, and it's crazy to think about.

It helps that Hargitay and Meloni had instant chemistry when they were auditioning for SVU, which is a good thing. There’s a possibility that SVU would not have gone as long as it had if Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler were played by different actors. Luckily, fans won’t have to imagine that and will be able to look forward to hopefully more Bensler scenes in the new season of SVU and many more memorable lines.

There won’t be too much of a wait for Law & Order: SVU Season 27. It’s set to premiere on Thursday, September 25 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, following the Season 25 premiere of Law & Order. Season 5 of Law & Order: Organized Crime will be airing after SVU, bringing the spinoff back to the network after moving to Peacock for Season 5, meaning that Law & Order Thursdays are coming back this fall on NBC.

Since the ‘90s, the Law & Order franchise has seen a whole host of guest stars that fans can watch with a Peacock subscription, and to this day, actors are still putting their hat in the ring to appear in any of the shows, even if it’s as a corpse. At the SAG Awards earlier this year, celebrities were asked to take a shot if they guest starred in the franchise and not surprisingly, almost the entire room did. Now, another celebrity wants to appear on Law & Order: SVU, and Stabler should watch out because she wants to play Olivia Benson’s lesbian lover, and I would love to see it.

While answering eight questions before 8 a.m. for TODAY, singer and actress Reneé Rapp was asked if she had a guest starring role on SVU, who would she play? She immediately loved the question, pointing out whoever wrote the question did more for her community than they can even imagine, and by community, she means her. Rapp knew exactly who she would play, and I need it immediately:

It sounds like Rapp has had this idea for a while, as she even remembers exact lines from a specific episode. This definitely would shift SVU if Olivia were to date a woman, even if she was just experimenting, but it would be pretty great.

How it would come about story-wise is unknown, but not surprisingly, Rapp has a whole storyline planned in her head, and I feel like Dick Wolf needs to be listening in on this:

At the very least, if SVU won’t make Olivia gay or even bisexual, it would be fun to see her go undercover with a female cop who isn’t Rollins, where they pretend to be a lesbian couple. Whether or not it will actually happen is unknown, but after 26 seasons, it would be nice to have a bit of a change, and this would be pretty perfect to switch things up. If anything, Law & Order: SVU doesn’t seem to be ending any time soon, so Rapp probably has plenty of time to make her dream come true.

Rapp has been open about her sexuality and came out on Saturday Night Live while performing on the variety sketch show during Season 49. While at the time she identified as bisexual, she admitted on Good Hang With Amy Poehler that she felt “very much lesbian” after going over sketch ideas and having a conversation with her girlfriend.

As of now, it’s unknown what Olivia Benson’s love life will look like on Season 27 of SVU, but the show has kicked off filming, as evidenced by Ice-T’s post of him looking beat up. There’s no telling what will happen in the new season, and even if it doesn’t include Olivia’s lesbian lover, there will still be a lot to look forward to.

There’s no arguing the impact that Christopher Meloni continues to make on the 2025 TV schedule — and pop culture as a whole — after over two decades of playing detective Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: SVU and Organized Crime. However, Meloni’s got something new in the works, as he’s set to portray an NFL coach in an upcoming drama series on Hulu, and fans seem fully on board with this “fire” casting choice.

In an announcement that may inspire some to reconsider their decision to drop Hulu, the as-yet-untitled series will be written and executive produced by Dan Fogelman, the brain behind popular series like This Is Us and Paradise (which received several 2025 Emmy nominations). Christopher Meloni will play the head coach of an NFL team, per Deadline, in a drama set inside the world of the NFL with a generational family component. Fogelman himself welcomed the actor to the team, posting the news on Instagram with the words:

There are few details at this point about the sports-related series, but this news alone was enough to win people over. Hollywood stars and fans alike hit the comments to express their excitement over the casting decision, with one emoji seeming to show up again and again:

• This is fire. 🔥– rachelharris
• 🏈🔥 – hollyrpeete
• Oh this will be so good 🔥– ashleighmcphie
• Ohh Coach Meloni 🔥🔥– naciawalsh
• Where is the love button? This is awesome! He’s such a genuinely nice guy. I waited on him and his wife and he remembered me when I was doing background on SVU!🙏🏻– alexandrakekeris
• This is very exciting! Chris Meloni is a hell of an actor good choice! – kathyr_costello

Yeah, I can totally see Christopher Meloni as an NFL coach. He has the gravitas in spades, and I can certainly picture him screaming commands to players on the field or flipping out on the refs from the sideline.

While the fate of Law & Order: Organized Crime (streaming with a Peacock subscription) remains up in the air after Season 5 ended this spring, fans of the crime spinoff apparently don’t need to worry about Dan Fogelman’s NFL series interfering. Deadline reports that if Organized Crime does get a sixth season, Christopher Meloni will be able to do both projects.

It certainly appears that the actor likes to stay busy. He’s also competed on Celebrity Jeopardy! in the past couple of years and provided his voice to series including American Dad!, Harley Quinn, Family Guy, Rick and Morty, Bless the Harts, Solar Opposites and Captain Fall. He’s also set to appear in the upcoming Netflix movie Little Brother, which stars John Cena, Eric André and Michelle Monaghan.

I’m excited to get more details about the upcoming drama that will have Christopher Meloni playing an NFL coach — including who will be starring alongside him. While we wait for updates, make sure your Hulu subscription is ready to go so you can check out other series from Dan Fogelman, including the aforementioned This Is Us and Paradise.

At some point in time, many television shows, regardless of genre, deal with the one inevitable fact of life: death. Losing characters we love is particularly tricky for fans, but we can pretty much all be assured that, year after year, we’ll get character deaths that’ll break our hearts for years, along with numerous characters killed off in spectacular ways. Well, the 2025 TV schedule has also delivered some tragedy to characters recently, with Law & Order: Organized Crime killing off a beleaguered but important part of the drama. Now, Christopher Meloni has opened up about why such things make him “sad” in real life.

What Did Organized Crime’s Christopher Meloni Say About Being Sad Over Character Deaths?

While you’d be hard pressed to find a long-running TV series that doesn’t kill off at least a couple of characters over time, some shows are more death-prone than others. That includes criminal procedurals like Law & Order: Organized Crime, where characters we grow to love are constantly in the crosshairs of (seemingly innumerable) dangerous criminals. While a Season 5 episode flirted with the death of a popular, long-running character, it pulled the trigger (literally) with another. Star Christopher Meloni opened up to TV Insider about how he feels as an actor when that happens, and said:

On one hand, I completely get Meloni wanting to show off his ability to bring audiences the “dark, messy, complicated emotional spaces” caused by the death of a character who’s been close to Elliot Stabler. As noted, this is a part of life that will likely be handled by every series at some point, and it gives actors some interesting work to do and ways to stretch themselves creatively. On the other, well, as he noted, someone you’ve worked with has now lost a job, and here is where I will get into Organized Crime Season 5 SPOILERS, so back out now if you don’t wanna know who died!

Season 5, Episode 9 was especially tough for the Stabler family. While family matriarch Bernie was about to be released from the hospital, Elliot had to run off and attempt to save his incredibly messy baby brother/criminal/organized crime informant Joe Jr. from Big Bad Julian Emery. Unfortunately, Julian was already well aware that Joe was a police informant and giving up info about his organization, and after calling Elliot to tell him to call off the search for him and Joe, he shot Jr., who eventually died in Elliot’s arms.

Phew!

END SPOILERS

I’d imagine that actors love digging into a meaty scene like this, but it does have to suck to lose a co-worker/friend. Elliot might be in a very dark place now, and we can see what happens next when the finale airs on Thursday, June 12.

The Law & Order franchise has been filming on the streets of New York since the ‘90s, and there are probably loads of stories that actors can share from those experiences. As one of the longest-running actors in the L&O franchise, Christopher Meloni knows a thing or two about shooting the drama out in the open and coming across fans. Unfortunately, there are times when a scene is ruined due to interference, as Meloni reveals some of the F-bomb-laced comments people have yelled at him.

In 1999, Meloni began portraying Detective Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: SVU and departed in 2012. He returned to the role in 2021 to lead his own spinoff, Organized Crime, which is airing now on the 2025 TV schedule. So it's not surprising that he's experienced quite a lot of fan interactions while filming in the Big Apple over the years. While taking part in BuzzFeed’s popular Puppy Interview segment, Meloni was asked about the most wild or memorable experiences he’s had while filming in NYC, and these sound crazy:

I'd imagine that long-standing cast and crew members are certainly used to fans shouting at them. However, that doesn't necessarily mean it becomes any less annoying when a take is ruined. If anything, onlookers' enthusiastic responses serve as a testament to the continued popularity of Dick Wolf's procedural-based franchise. One would still hope that devotees would be respectful, though, given that filming can be stressful as is.

Although it seems filming Law & Order in public in New York can have its ups and downs, positive developments can result from it. Last year, Mariska Hargitay was mistaken as an actual cop by a lost child while filming SVU. Production briefly paused while Hargitay helped the child find her mother, eventually reuniting the two. She may only play Captain Olivia Benson on TV, but I'd say she's certainly a hero in real life as well.

When it comes to Meloni's Organized Crime (which is available to stream with a Peacock subscription), the long-awaited fifth season premiered last month. It delivered a sad exit, with Ainsley Seiger’s Jet departing. At the very least, both Hargitay and Peter Scanavino have guest starred on the show, and the series is effectively building on its shared universe.

It's probably reasonable to assume that the cast and crew of Law & Order shows will continue to have to deal with fan reactions while filming in public. Despite that, I'd expect Christopher Meloni and co. -- being the professionals that they are -- to continue to handle such situations with grace. All the while, after hearing Meloni's comments, I'm interested in hearing experiences from some fellow franchise alums.

Law and Order: Organized Crime is back and better than ever on the 2025 TV schedule, with its first two episodes available now on Peacock. The Season 5 premiere was heavily teased with some pretty intense promos that showed Christopher Meloni’s Det. Elliot Stabler in the hospital following a car crash. Of course, his longtime partner, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit’s Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), shows up to visit Stabler in the hospital. Obviously, fans are desperate to know if this is the season the two former SVU partners finally get together. Thankfully, Meloni got real about their near-kiss, trying not to "bait" fans and the future of their relationship.

Some Context On Benson and Stabler’s Near Kitchen Kiss

Before last week’s Dick Wolf Universe extravaganza, Benson and Stabler hadn’t been on screen together since 2023. Season 24 of Dick Wolf’s long-running detective drama provided some serious romantic tension between the two, resulting in a semi-awkward near kiss in Benson’s kitchen. In a recent interview with TV Line, Meloni got real about why the kiss didn’t happen, although he leaves most of the reasoning up for fan speculation:

The two ex-partners kissing isn’t itself awkward, but Elliot’s timing wasn't ideal. The reason he showed up at her apartment in the first place was to check on her after a gang attack. While I think Stabler’s presence was welcome and most likely comforting, Olivia was too emotionally overwhelmed to deal with their complicated relationship.

After Elliot told Liv he cares about her and went in for a kiss, she pulled away at the last moment. The two were about to finally lock lips when she rested her head against his and whispered, “I want to, but I can’t.” He asked why, and she admitted she wasn't ready.

I don’t know about you, but I was holding my breath for the entire scene. Two years later, with #Bensler finally reuniting and breaking the internet, I’m left to wonder if Olivia is finally ready to take that next step.

Christopher Meloni Speaks On Baiting Fans With The Will-They-Won’t-They Relationship

Benson and Stabler are a couple 26 years in the making…and it is still being dragged out.

Ever since SVU premiered in 1999, it’s been clear Meloni and Hargitay have some serious chemistry, something the latter admitted she felt at their initial SVU audition together decades ago.

Their closeness and unconditional loyalty were almost always a factor in Elliot’s marital problems with his wife, Kathy. In an unexpected twist, Kathy died in the SVU crossover with the L&O: Organized Crime pilot. It was a devastating twist for both fans and Stabler. But for the first time, the dedicated detective was able to fully acknowledge his underlying feelings for Benson.

Now, over Organized Crime’s 4-season run, we’ve seen the detectives have more romantic interactions than their entire 12 years together on SVU. However, it hasn't resulted in anything besides obvious confessions of feelings.

Overall, fans have been left wondering if they are about to be tricked by the writers again, and Christopher Meloni finally addressed the Bensler baiting, saying:

It’s nice to know that the actors are very genuine with these characters. Like the fans, Mariska Hargitay admitted to Variety she was rooting for a Bensler kiss, and I think this interview with the Happy actor is confirmation that they are on the same page.

Unfortunately, as Meloni said, it’s up to the powers that be. Hopefully, SVU’s first female showrunner, who was a main writer and producer for SVU Seasons 4-7, including the moment Stabler chose his partner’s life over a victim’s, will take the fate of their romance into her own hands.

While the Organized Crime Season 4 finale left Benson and Stabler in a good place as friends again, I think this could be the season they finally get together. However, we'll just have to wait and see.

New episodes of both SVU and Organized Crime can be streamed every Thursday with a Peacock subscription.

The 2025 TV schedule is an exciting time to be a fan of the Law & Order franchise, and not just because the original show and Law & Order: SVU will deliver their first multi-part crossover in quite some time this spring. Law & Order: Organized Crime will also finally return in mid-April for its first season streaming exclusively for viewers with a Peacock subscription. Leading man Christopher Meloni added to the buzz when he shared some sweet photos with longtime SVU co-star Mariska Hargitay, resulting in a wide variety of comments from fans. My favorites, though, have to be the ones from the Applebee's and IHOP accounts.

Meloni shared a pair of photos with Hargitay on his Instagram account, with a cute caption calling her out for not smiling in the first and then smiling in the second. As a fan of SVU going back longer than I care to admit and a viewer of Organized Crime from the beginning, I wasn't surprised to see that these were the top comments with the most likes:

• leesaraej: "It's time Elliot, go get your girl..... I'm getting OLD!!"
• sassenachhistorian: "When are Liv and Elliott gonna kiss?? It’s quite literally been more than 25 years"

I've personally never rooted for Christopher Meloni's Elliot Stabler and Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson to start a romantic relationship, but I can respect the dedication of shippers who have been holding onto hope for a pairing that's almost 30 years in! SVU put shippers through the wringer with an almost-kiss a couple years ago, and the comments on Hargitay's post with Meloni are pretty similar to the ones on his.

But as I scrolled down through the comments, I was surprised to see that the accounts for two restaurants shared their two cents in a pair of messages that are weirdly cute as well as pretty darn funny. Take a look:

• applebees: "how it feels with you @ihop"
• ihop: @applebees same bestie <3

The Instagram accounts interacting isn't totally random, as both Applebee's and IHOP are owned by the same company, so it's not quite as strange as if McDonald's and Burger King were making vows of friendship or Coke and Pepsi were declaring mutual love in Christopher Meloni's comment section.

But just as I love to look back at how many stars have played repeat roles in the Law & Order franchise, I get a kick out of seeing how far the fandom for the shows – and in this case, the iconic duo of Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay – extends. Who knows? Maybe fans will be motivated to tune in to the first episode of Organized Crime this year with a plate of pancakes and/or a platter of boneless wings.

It remains to be seen if Meloni and Hargitay will actually share the screen before the end of the year, although Organized Crime's Season 5 premiere on April 17 will release before SVU's Season 26 finale, so I'm not ruling it out. After all, I may not be rooting for a romance, but I do love seeing the longtime on-screen partners sharing scenes. With The OC premiere airing on NBC directly after Law & Order and SVU's crossover, I'd honestly be surprised if we don't see one of them on the other's show.

For now, though, check out the promo for Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 and all the cast members who joined Christopher Meloni in the move from NBC to Peacock:

While Law & Order: Organized Crime will release all of its Season 5 episodes weekly on Peacock, the premiere will also air on NBC on Thursday, April 17 in its old 10 p.m. ET time slot to build hype. Hopefully that will be enough to hook fans to follow Stabler and Co. over to Peacock. To prepare for the long-awaited return, you can also revisit the first four seasons on the streaming platform.

Even if you don’t watch every show in the incredibly large Dick Wolf universe, you likely know at least one thing about the characters within it: Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler are the ones. The former partners from the early days of Law & Order: SVU have been reunited for some time now, and are the tightest of friends who have each other’s backs whenever possible…and are definitely in love with one another. It seems like the 2025 TV schedule is about to bring fans more Bensler, and with portrayers Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni being reunited on set, L&O fans are delivering some A+ comments.

What Are Law & Order: SVU Fans Saying About Benson And Stabler Being Back Together?

If you enjoy some romantic moments in your police procedurals, then you will understand that the people who ship Benson and Stabler are a committed bunch. People have been ride or die for the characters who’ve been brought to life by Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni pretty much since day one, and anytime the good, real-life buddies with amazing on-screen chemistry are together fans basically lose their minds.

This includes what Hargitay has given us with a recent Instagram post, which shows the duo smiling and laughing and kinda sorta looking like a romantic pairing who’s been together for years:

Sigh…As you may imagine, fans who saw this post got all up in their feels, and took to the comments to let everyone know. Let’s start with Ryan Buggle, who’s experienced the magic firsthand, as he portrays Benson’s son, Noah:

He’s not kidding about breaking the internet, either. After he got the comment party started, the post was flooded with adoration:

• mom and dad! your kids missed you! 😭😭😭😭
• I think we all been collectively crying for 2 hours now and I love that for us 😂❤️❤️
• We just want yall together damn it..😭 its been 25 years Oliva just give it to him😂😂🫶🏽
• I wasn't ready Mariska! My heart is fine I guess... ❤️
• Guess, you could say it’s getting pretty serious if it’s IG official! 😉 So, is Stabler officially off the market now, Captain? 😍
• Chriska/Bensler back and sending the internet into frenzy! Feel like I just died and went to heaven for a moment
• Don’t think you can comprehend how much we love you both. Just a picture like this will feed the fans for a whole month. Heck we are still nibbling from the Emmys pictures. 😁😇Thank you for sharing❤️❤️
• Y’all play too much. 😍🥰

I must say, that last comment is my favorite, because Hargitay and Meloni are both fully aware of how the fans feel about them, to the point where her actual husband was once jokingly asked about sharing her with the Law & Order: Organized Crime star! I mean, just look at this super cozy and adorable photo:

We don’t know if this is Hargitay and Meloni just enjoying some downtime on set or if filming was actually going on while these photos were being taken. But, my bet is the former, because I don’t think we’ve seen either Benson or Stabler look so happy, at peace, and lively in a single scene of any L&O drama!

Organized Crime returns (with its first season for Peacock) with Season 5 on April 17, while SVU is currently rocking its Thursday time slot on NBC. Time will tell if we ever get to see these two be so blissed out on either drama!

Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 will be premiering on the 2025 TV schedule soon, and things are going to be a bit different. The Christopher Meloni-led spinoff is moving to Peacock exclusively for the new season and the schedule is a bit different, for starters. On top of that, another Zaddy is joining the cast, and he will definitely keep fans excited.

Although Christopher Meloni has dubbed a Zaddy, and was the Zaddy on Organized Crime, he may have some competition. Deadline reports that Jason Patric will have a recurring role as Detective Tim McKenna in the highly-anticipated upcoming season.

The role will mark one of Patric’s only television gigs. His most recent project on the small screen was the 2018 TV film The Girl in the Bathtub. He was also part of the main cast for Season 2 of Fox’s sci-fi thriller Wayward Pines in 2016. So, it's safe to say the hype is real when it comes to seeing him back on TV and in this beloved L&O show.

Since Patric will be playing a detective, that means he will probably be working closely with the main cast, who are detectives of the Organized Crime Control Bureau in New York City. He joins Danielle Mone Truitt, Ainsley Seiger, Rick Gonzalez, and Dean Norris. It’s unknown how many episodes Patric will be appearing in, but Organized Crime will have 10 episodes for its fifth season. So, a girl can dream that he'll show up in quite a few of them.

Meanwhile, Jason Patric is certainly in good company on Law & Order: Organized Crime, and it’s partly because he's not the only Zaddy on set. Meloni has held the Zaddy status for years now, and fans even think he should be in the running for top Chris in Hollywood. Being a sex symbol in his 60s may not have been something he was expecting, but Stabler actor has certainly taken it in stride and is proud of it. Now, I'm kind of hoping for some healthy competition and tomfoolery from these two as they both bring their Zaddy energy to this Peacock series.

Since it’s still unknown when Organized Crime will be premiering its fifth season, fans will likely have to resort to social media content for their fix of this cast. Meloni and the ensemble occasionally share photos from set, and I would love nothing more than to see images or, better yet, videos, of Patric and Meloni duking it out over their Zaddy status.

Of course, the series is certainly big enough for more than one Zaddy, even if Meloni’s ego is too big, according to some hilarious trolling.

Regardless of who is the biggest Zaddy on Law & Order: Organized Crime, it will be exciting to see Jason Patric on the show whenever it returns. The wait for Season 5 will be worth it, and in the meantime, those with a Peacock subscription can always catch up on the first four seasons now.

Within Law & Order: SVU’s 26-season history, one element that has remained a fan-favorite is the relationship between Olivia Benson and Chris Stabler. Although Stabler isn't a regular on the show anymore, viewers remain invested in the dynamic between the two law enforcement officials. The writers deserve a lot of credit for that, but a lot of it can also be chalked up to Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni’s undeniable chemistry. Ahead of SVU's return on the 2025 TV schedule, Hargitay recalled discovering that spark amid her audition with Meloni years ago.

Mariska Hargitay's recent comments suggest that she has fond memories of auditioning for the show that would ultimately change her life and career. While speaking with Today, Hargitay opened up about her audition with Christopher Meloni, specifically detailing the first time she laid eyes on him:

It’s great just how spot-on the ER alum's intuition was. Few would probably deny that Christopher Meloni looks like leading man material but, of course, there's more to acting than having a look. Meloni also had to gel with his eventual co-star and, according to Mariska Hargitay, it didn't take long for the pair to find their rhythm:

Almost 30 years have passed since Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni met each other, and I love that they remain close today. Whether they're appearing on SVU or Organized Crime together or just hanging out off-camera and even coming across Law & Order references, their bond seems unbreakable. Hargitay knows how great their connection is, and she summed it up with the following comments:

It's interesting when either of the L&O alums provide BTS insight into their work. Over the summer, Hargitay revealed a key Bensler moment was improvised by Meloni back in Season 9, which saw the two character hug after Kathy was in an accident and she and their new baby were doing well. There honestly are few on-screen partners who stack up to these two characters, and few actors have quality chemistry like the stars who portray them, too.

Needless to say, it's a treat whenever Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni share scenes, and seeing them together ahead of the Law & Order finales last year made me seriously miss Benson and Stabler. I don't know when these two characters will share the screen again, but I'm hoping it happens again soon.

You can check out the awesome Hargitay/Meloni chemistry by streaming past episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Organized Crime using a Peacock subscription.

I cannot count how many times Scrubs has come up when discussing the best TV sitcoms of all time. Over the course of nine seasons (and two networks), the Zach Braff-led medical comedy introduced audiences to some of the most iconic and endearing small-screen characters of the past 25 years, as well as some legendary celebrity guests. With Academy Award winners, Star Wars alumni, and on-the-rise comedians, Sacred Heart Hospital was a hopping place when these 32 actors popped up on Scrubs.

Brendan Fraser

Though Brendan Fraser is best known for roles in movies like The Mummy, The Whale, and Encino Man, the Oscar winner played a small yet pivotal role as Ben Sullivan on Scrubs. Dr. Cox’s (John C. McGinley) brother-in-law, Ben was at the center of several of the best episodes of Scrubs as well as one of the most emotional TV moments of all time. Seriously, Ben is one of the best characters to ever appear on the show, which is saying a lot.

Michael J. Fox

One of several Spin City cast members to show up on Scrubs, Michael J. Fox appeared in a pair of episodes during the show’s third season. Taking on the role of Dr. Kevin Casey, a confident and talented doctor and surgeon dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Ryan Reynolds

Before he was leading some of the best Marvel movies and showing up in great romantic comedies, Ryan Reynolds had a one-off appearance on Scrubs. Showing up in the show’s second season, Reynolds played Spence, J.D. (Zach Braff) and Turk’s (Donald Faison) college friend who comes to visit while in town for a wedding.

Courteney Cox

A few years after Friends came to an end and a few months before Cougar Town premiered, Courteney Cox had a brief fun on Scrubs. During her handful of appearances in the show’s eighth season, Cox played Dr. Taylor Maddox, the new Sacred Heart chief of medicine following Dr. Kelso’s (Ken Jenkins) sudden departure.

Dick Van Dyke

Probably the Scrubs celebrity guest with the most prolific career, Dick Van Dyke showed up for a single episode partway through the show’s second season. The legendary actor/singer/dancer took on the role of Dr. Doug Townshend, a Sacred Heart doctor who no longer wanted to stick around and keep up with technology and decided to retire.

Elizabeth Banks

In terms of guest spots, few actors appeared in as many episodes as Elizabeth Banks. Between Seasons 5 and 8, Banks popped up in a total of 15 episodes as Dr. Kim Briggs, a urologist at another hospital who eventually became the mother of J.D.’s son before it was all said and done.

Colin Farrell

Colin Farrell was just about everywhere in the 2000s, including Scrubs. The In Bruges actor played Billy Callahan, an Irishman who was sticking around to watch over a man he knocked out in a bar fight, partway through Season 4. Though his arrival caused a stir at Sacred Heart, it all eventually worked out in the end.

Aziz Ansari

Before he became one of the biggest comedians on the planet thanks to Parks and Recreation and Master of None, Aziz Ansari had a supporting role on Scrubs. Ansari appeared throughout the show’s eighth season where he played Dr. Ed Dhandapani, one of J.D.’s young interns, and possibly the laziest person at Sacred Heart.

Heather Graham

A major player throughout Scrubs Season 4, Heather Graham took on the role of Dr. Molly Clock, a psychiatrist at Sacre Heart who kept referring to J.D. as “Johnny.” She appeared in nine episodes during her single-season run on the show.

Billy Dee Williams

Billy Dee Williams, of Star Wars and Brian’s Song fame, showed up in a single episode of Scrubs Season 5. But like other guest stars, Williams played himself, or at least a version that was Julie Quinn’s (Mandy Moore) godfather.

Matthew Perry

The late Matthew Perry (appearing alongside his real-life father, John Bennett Perry) showed up for an episode of Scrubs back in the show’s fourth season. In his one-off appearance, Perry played Murray Marks, a man who comes to Sacred Heart Hospital to donate a kidney to his ailing father.

Mandy Moore

Several years before she led another all-time great NBC series, This Is Us, Mandy Moore showed up on Scrubs as Julie Quinn. Though she only appeared on a pair of episodes during the show’s fifth season, Moore’s character made quite an impact on the staff at Sacred Heart, especially J.D. Their romance was short-lived, but one the hopeless romantic doctor wouldn’t forget.

Richard Kind

Harvey Corman is definitely one of the most iconic (and annoying) guest characters on Scrubs, and that’s all thanks to the brilliant work by Richard Kind. A hypochondriac like no other, Corman was in and out of Sacred Heart Hospital with all kinds of issues and medical emergencies throughout Seasons 2 through 4.

Masi Oka

Before having a massive breakout role on Heroes, Masi Oka appeared on Scrubs off and on between Seasons 1 and 4, in which he took on the role of a lab tech named Franklyn. Though he only appeared in a handful of episodes before leaving the show, Oka’s character showed up in some of the most memorable moments in Scrubs history.

Tom Cavanagh

In addition to leading the comedy series Ed, Tom Cavanagh also had a sizable guest spot on Scrubs. Every once in a while, Cavanagh would show up as J.D.’s older brother, Dan Dorian. There for a life, a shoulder to cry on, or an important life lesson, Dan was there for some of his brother’s most trying moments.

Tara Reid

Tara Reid was part of the Scrubs cast for 11 episodes, with all but one coming from the show’s third season. During her run, Reid took on the role of Danni Sullivan, Ben Sullivan’s younger sister, who became one of J.D.’s many girlfriends at one point.

Phill Lewis

Phill Lewis has appeared just about everywhere throughout his prolific TV career, including Sacred Heart Hospital for a stretch. During his run on Scrubs, Lewis portrayed Hooch, an orthopedic surgeon with a wild and dangerous side, to say the very least.

Jason Bateman

Jason Bateman popped up for a single episode of Scrubs during the show’s fifth season. During his one-off appearance, Bateman plays Mr. Sutton, a garbageman who refuses to thank J.D. after being treated.

John Ritter

The late John Ritter showed up in two episodes of Scrubs as Sam Dorian, J.D.’s dad. The cash-strapped and constantly unemployed character had his issues, but still cared deeply for his song.

Taran Killam

Before landing a steady gig on Saturday Night Live, Taran Killam had a recurring role on Scrubs during the show’s penultimate season. Killam took on the role of Jimmy, one of J.D.’s interns at Sacred Heart.

Jimmie Walker

Jimmie Walker, best known for his portrayal of J.J. Evans and his “Dynomite” catchphrase from Good Times, appeared in two episodes of Scrubs. During the show’s first season, Walker played himself as he appeared in two of the J.D.’s signature daydreams.

Sean Hayes

Best known for his roles as Jack McFarland on Will & Grace, Sean Hayes has made a ton of other appearances over the years. This includes Scrubs, where he played Nick Murdoch, an intern whose time at Sacred Heart was shortlived because he couldn’t handle the stress and emotional toll of watching a young patient’s slow demise under his care.

Ricky Schroder

Ricky Schroder’s career got off to a hot start as a child actor, including multiple appearances and a leading role on Silver Spoons, one of the most beloved sitcoms of the ‘80s. That career would continue well into adulthood for the former teenage star, including a four-episode turn on Scrubs. During the show’s second season, Schroder played Paul Flower, a male nurse Elliott Reid (Sarah Chalke) was embarrassed to admit she was dating.

Kelli Williams

If you look at the list of the best TV shows of all time, you’ll find multiple featuring the work of Kelli Williams. In addition to Law & Order, Quantum Leap, The Practice, and Ally McBeal, there’s also Scrubs. During her two episodes back in 2001, Williams played Kristen Murphy, a surgical student at Sacred Heart Hospital.

Cheryl Hines

In the middle of her run as Larry David’s wife on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Cheryl Hines made a brief appearance on Scrubs. During a single episode in the show’s fifth season, Hines played Paige Cox, Dr. Perry Cox’s very religious sister who shows up at Sacred Heart Hospital and forces the temperamental doctor to think about memories he long locked away in the deepest and most secure vaults of his mind.

Dave Foley

Dave Foley, best known for his time on The Kids in the Hall and movies like A Bug’s Life and Toy Story 2, had a pair of appearances on Scrubs during the middle of the show’s nine-season run. Foley took on the role of Dr. Lester Hedrick, a Sacred Heart grief counselor who was like a softer, kinder, and more easy-going mentor for J.D. when compared to the easily angered and annoyed Dr. Cox.

Julianna Margulies

E.R. wasn’t the only NBC-based show set in a hospital to feature the work of Julianna Margulies, as she also popped up on Scrubs for a couple of episodes during the show’s fourth season. But instead of playing a doctor this time, Margulies took on the role of Jenna Broderick, a candidate for the scariest lawyer award. The malpractice attorney had a habit of showing up and causing trouble, especially with J.D. Not much is known about the character’s whereabouts about J.D. put an end to things.

Keri Russell

Keri Russell, best known for her work on shows like Felicity and The Americans, had a short run on Scrubs, appearing in two episodes. In the show’s sixth season, Russell took on the role of Melody O’Harra, Elliott’s sorority sister who shows up and brings her easy-go-lucky personality and philosophy on life to the core group of the cast, but mostly J.D.

Heather Locklear

Heather Locklear added Scrubs to her long list of TV credits when she appeared for a pair of episodes during the show’s second season. During her time on the show, Locklear played Julie Keaton, a pharmaceutical rep who showed up at Sacred Heart Hospital to sell her company’s latest and greatest product. But she got more than she could chew when she started a relationship with Dr. Perry Cox, which provided a short-lived reprieve for everyone who had grown tired of his anger and outbursts while making rounds.

Christopher Meloni

Christopher Meloni played one of the most sadistic prisoners in the Oz cast as well as a dedicated and complicated detective on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, but did you know he played a pediatrician on Scrubs? Well, that was the case for an episode during the show’s third season in which he played Dr. David Norris, Dr. Cox and Jordan Sullivan’s (Christa Miller) son’s pediatrician. Though a far stretch from his turn as Chris Keller on the landmark HBO series, Dr. Norris was still a wild card, to say the very least.

Amy Smart

Amy Smart showed up in movies like Varsity Blues, Road Trip, and The Butterfly Effect throughout the late ‘90s and early 2000s, but she also had quite a few TV appearances during that stretch of time. This included a spot on Scrubs as Jamie Moyer, aka “Tasty Coma Wife,” the wife of a car crash victim. This led to one of J.D.’s most ridiculous relationships on the series, which is saying something.

Nicole Sullivan

Mad TV star Nicole Sullivan appeared in a handful of episodes of Scrubs. Sullivan played Jill Tracy, a recurring troubled patient at Sacred Heart who made an impact on everyone she encountered, for better or worse. Her death, which ultimately led to one of the show’s most heartbreaking sequences (it features The Fray’s “How To Save a Life”), is one that had a massive impact on the medical staff for years to come.

The fall 2024 TV schedule may be winding down, but NBC still has one big primetime premiere left before the end of the year: Night Court. The hit comedy returns for its third season, with Wendie Malick on board as a series regular with India de Beaufort out. Fun guest stars are on the way, including Mayim Bialik for a Big Bang Theory reunion with Melissa Rauch and Ryan Hansen returning as Jake. Lacretta, who of course plays Gurgs, has her own idea for a guest star to pay off on a joke from Season 2: Christopher Meloni, as the wait for Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 continues.

Back in a Season 2 episode, Gurgs had a running joke that was somehow even funnier than John Larroquette going full Klingon in a nod to Star Trek III. She revealed that she had a "dalliance with Christopher Meloni" when he shadowed her "for his greatest role" as star of Bailiff: The Musical. (The nudity was of course Gurgs' idea.) She went on to drop more bits of background about what she dubbed "one of Christopher Meloni's greatest Broadway triumphs," including that "Double Dangerous" was the name of Meloni's big number in the musical.

The episode also added another chapter of Gurgs' lore, with the reveal that they "have unfinished business." All in all, it was a hilarious running gag that immediately made me want to see the Law & Order: Organized Crime star step away from playing Stabler for a bit to play a fictionalized version of himself as Broadway star/Gurgs' nemesis. So, when I spoke with Lacretta during NBC's Night Court junket ahead of the Season 3 premiere, I had to ask about Bailiff: The Musical. She laughed and said:

Like many TV actors, Lacretta appeared on Law & Order: SVU earlier in her career, long before she was a series regular on arguably NBC's biggest current sitcom. It's a fun bit of trivia, though, that Lacretta's first-ever TV credit was the Season 13 episode of SVU called "Street Revenge" back in 2012, which was in the show's first season without Christopher Meloni. I'm definitely with Lacretta on being ready for more on Bailiff: The Musical, and Melissa Rauch commented "That's so meta!" when her co-star revealed how "full circle" it would be.

While Gurgs' and Christopher Meloni's "dalliance" over Bailiff: The Musical only happened in the world of Night Court, Lacretta is a veteran of stage musicals and Broadway in real life. When I asked if she'd be interested in singing in Season 3 – with or without Christopher Meloni – she shared:

Even though Christopher Meloni's biggest break into network TV was as Elliot Stabler over more than 250 episodes of SVU and fans are now eagerly awaiting his return in Law & Order: Organized Crime's fifth season, he has plenty of comedy experience with projects ranging from Wet Hot American Summer to Harley Quinn. Why not add Night Court to the list, since Organized Crime's premiere date as a Peacock streaming original hasn't even been announced yet for (presumably) the 2025 TV schedule?

It remains to be seen if Meloni will ever join Lacretta on Night Court, but the trailer for Season 3 is hyping Wendie Malick's return as Julianne Waters. Take a look:

Tune in to NBC on Tuesday, November 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET for the Season 3 premiere of Night Court, following a new episode of St. Denis Medical. You can also revisit earlier episodes of Melissa Rauch and John Larroquette's sitcom streaming with a Peacock subscription, as well as the first four seasons of Law & Order: Organized Crime if you want to see Christopher Meloni!

Chip Gaines is turning 50. The longtime TV host has a birthday coming up on November 14th, and he recently spoke about the milestone while appearing with his wife Joanna Gaines on Drew Barrymore’s show. He may not be super enthusiastic about what’s coming next, but I gotta ask: Is it cool to say he’s in his Zaddy era yet?

He's not the only celebrity approaching or who just hit the big birthday milestone. Elizabeth Banks had a funny post for her birthday after hitting 50 earlier this year. Jimmy Fallon just hit 50. Barrymore herself is also turning the big 5-0 coming up, but she and the reality star have very different outlooks about what the birthday means. In the former child actor’s case, she’s kind of excited and open to what’s next, and she’s enthusiastic about turning 50. Gaines, however, is struggling a bit more, as he mentioned in a clip.

I’m honestly surprised to hear him lacking in enthusiasm about the celebrity birthday milestone. Chip’s a funny guy on TV and he’s generally in positive and playful spirits – as he notes here, he’s a perpetual “Peter Pan” personality. Plus, he seemingly has a great home life, recently hit a relationship milestone with Joanna, and has a lot of positivity going on the career front, as he did also make sure to note to Ms. Barrymore.

As someone who watched Fixer Upper from the beginning and has followed the famous couple through their subsequent career after their HGTV show ended, this whole thing is a bit hard to compute. Chip Gaines was not even 40 when the show hit HGTV. It’s hard to believe 11 years have passed since that time. While the TV personality has aged like fine wine, it’s still difficult to wrap my head around how quickly time has passed, so on the one hand I get where Mr. Gaines is coming from.

On the other hand I have two words: Zaddy era. Christopher Meloni at 63 has fully embraced those two simple words, and he is thriving. All he had to do was show up to the set of Law & Order and wear a pair of pants that really showed off his assets. Our condolences to his family, who have had to deal with all the Meloni zaddy memes, but also I really have no regrets about this happening.

And Meloni isn’t the only Zaddy out there! Just look at Stanley Tucci, as Emily Blunt has reminded us. Or Pedro Pascal, who isn't a dad, but certainly has that zad(dy) factor.

Likewise, Chip Gaines is a man who has made fitness a priority over the years, running marathons and more and staying in shape on the job. He really knows how to pull off a toolbelt on TV (and as a sidebar once actually ran a marathon in a tool belt) and a suit coat during interviews. Maybe like Meloni, fully embracing the zaddiness of his existence is what should come next?

Bring on the memes.

At this point in his long and successful career, Christopher Meloni is likely most recognizable to general audiences for his lengthy stint(s) as Eliott Stabler in the world of both Law & Order: SVU and its spinoff Law & Order: Organized Crime, whose fifth season shifted to Peacock from NBC. Though we’ll be waiting until the 2025 TV schedule to see the character’s return, the actor himself shared a bunch of fun facts about his career and personal life, including the celeb that left him the most starstruck.

Considering he’s portrayed Stabler for more than 15 years at this point, combined with more limited roles in dramas such as Oz, The Handmaid’s Tale, Pose and others, it might be easy for the actor’s fanbase to forget just how big comedy has been across Meloni’s career. But we’re talking about Wet Hot American Summer’s Gene Jenkinson, whose return for Netflix’s spinoff series provided the funniest First Day of Camp moment by far. So perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising that he was most taken aback by a comedy icon.

Meloni gave US Weekly the rundown on a variety of topics, including the early-career moment when he met and worked for Monty Python’s animation genius-turned-filmmaker Terry Gilliam. In his words:

As a huge fan of Meloni's comic book adaptation Happy, as well as his hilarious efforts in everything from Harley Quinn to Wonder Showzen to Veep, I love hearing that he was able to have that kind of "meet your heroes" moment so early on during his rise in Hollywood. It was only his third film, following comedies Junior and Clean Slate the year before, and I have to imagine it was a wild transition to go from Ivan Reitman to Terry Gilliam.

I think it's safe to say Meloni and Gilliam hit it off well enough. Three years later, the actor popped up in a hilarious supporting role as hotel clerk Sven in the director's next cinematic ordeal, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. That said, it was the last time they worked together to date, but Meloni clearly still thinks highly of the visionary filmmaker if Gilliam remains the go-to celeb that left him most starstruck.

While I'll forever side with Monty Python's Flying Circus being my favorite effort from any of the six troupe members' careers, both Brazil and 12 Monkeys are 100% elsewhere in my Top 5., with Fawlty Towers and Life of Brian filling out the other two. sloths. Not that anybody asked, but still.

The Actors Christopher Meloni Looked Up To The Most

Beyond giving big props to Terry Gilliam, Christopher Meloni also addressed the on-screen performers that made a big impact on him in his youth, and most impressed him with their respective talents. As he put it:

How amazing would it be to have De Niro, Day-Lewis, Slater and Meloni all co-starring in a movie directed by Terry Gilliam? I'm going to dump a bunch of pennies into a wishing well to try and make that happen.

With the promoted Dean Norris returning for more brotherly love within the Stabler family, Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 will arrive for fans with Peacock subscriptions at some point in early 2025, and we're hoping to get more updates soon.

Law & Order: Organized Crime fans would normally be able to count on Elliot Stabler, Ayanna Bell, and the rest of the team returning to NBC's Law & Order Thursdays alongside SVU and the original series. This time around, however, Organized Crime is switching to streaming for Season 5 to become an original for Peacock Premium subscribers. Now, one star has confirmed that her work has begun on the new season, and that makes me think back on what Christopher Meloni suggested to CinemaBlend earlier in the 2024 TV schedule.

First things first!

Danielle Moné Truitt Drops Good News For Fans

Details were relatively scarce about Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 over the majority of the summer, to the point that Christopher Meloni and showrunner John Shiban were the only big names confirmed to be making the jump from NBC to Peacock. Fortunately, Danielle Moné Truitt – a.k.a. Sergeant Ayanna Bell – took to Instagram to share a photo and caption that could prompt viewers to breathe a sigh of relief:

Was there ever much doubt that Danielle Moné Truitt would be back as Bell in the fifth season? Maybe not, but the confirmation that she's back at work on Organized Crime is worth celebrating. After how the actress spoke about the "messiness" at the beginning of Season 4, it's hard to imagine the task force without Bell.

Rick Gonzalez, who plays Detective Bobby Reyes, dropped an "😂" emoji in Truitt's comment section, so I think we can take that as good news for his character as well. There are still more questions than answers about Season 5, and it was a bit of a bummer to get a promo for Law & Order Thursdays without Organized Crime, but cast members getting back to work gives hope that the show will return before the end of 2024.

For his part, Christopher Meloni has not yet posted about production beginning at the time of writing, but he did share some entertaining ideas with CinemaBlend earlier this summer.

What Christopher Meloni Told Us

While the SVU-turned-Organized Crime star didn't get back to work in NYC as early as Mariska Hargitay and Ice-T did for their NBC returns in early October, Meloni had a different project over the summer: the Catch A Cat Burglar: Purry Duty podcast. He explained to CinemaBlend what made him want to join the Temptations podcast, shortly after he returned from the Olympics and SVU fan encounters in Paris.

We also took some time to talk about his iconic character, and – in honor of his work on the podcast – whether Stabler is a cat person or a dog person. He had a very fun take, saying:

A Law & Order show exploring Stabler falling in love is certainly something that plenty of fans have been interested in going back to 1999 with Stabler and Benson, but I for one would love to see Stabler hanging out with a cat on a regular basis. With the hours he keeps, what better kind of pet for him to have than one that doesn't really need him? A little bit of levity could come in handy on such a dark show as well. When I commented that Stabler should get a cat on Day 1 on Peacock, Meloni laughed and said:

Well, that would certainly be a way for the franchise to reinvent itself after nearly 35 years on the air! Law & Order's various shows have done a lot over the decades, but never has the lead detective had a cat coworker. After I joked that I would definitely watch that version of Organized Crime, Meloni responded:

Even with details scarce about the plot of Organized Crime Season 5, I think we can very safely rule out Stabler getting a cat partner in the move to Peacock. Still, hearing Meloni jokingly pitch a new cat cast member was pretty great as the wait continued for new developments, especially since the future for Stabler was so uncertain when the back half of Season 4 was airing prior to the Peacock renewal.

While there's still no premiere date, the cast getting back to work is encouraging. If you want to revisit the first four seasons of Law & Order: Organized Crime as the hiatus continues, you can find those episodes streaming on Peacock now. You can also check out Christopher Meloni's podcast work with the Catch a Cat Burglar: Purry Duty project, currently available on all major platforms.

The late summer months are usually when the stars of the Law & Order franchise are too busy filming new seasons to be spotted out and about far from New York City, but that wasn't the case this year thanks to the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Both Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay crossed the pond to cheer on Team USA, which involved everything from hanging out with Snoop Dogg to meeting emotional medalists.

I was fortunate enough to speak with the Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 star about his other summer project, so keep on scrolling to see two gymnasts having an extremely relatable reaction to Mariska Hargitay and what Chris Meloni shared about encountering SVU fans in France.

Jordan Chiles And Suni Lee Met The SVU Star

Following her milestone 25th season as Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, Mariska Hargitay stepped away from filming Season 26 to cheer on Team USA. After thanking Ice-T in a caption for "holding down the fort" while she was away, she posed with Snoop Dogg for a photo with the men's rowing team and their gold medals and shared a sweet photo of her daughter with gymnasts Suni Lee and Jordan Chiles.

While both medalists were composed when they posed for a pic with Mariska Hargitay's daughter, they were still in the "geeking out" stage of meeting the SVU legend in a sweet video posted by Peacock. Take a look:

Anybody who watched the gymnastics events on NBC or streaming with a Peacock Premium subscription saw how happy the two gymnasts were when they won their individual and team medals, but it's fun to see them get so excited about something entirely different. Hargitay also had a surprise for somebody else: Jordan Chiles' sister. See for yourself:

While we have footage of athletes/fans reacting to Mariska Hargitay at the 2024 Olympics, Christopher Meloni opened up to CinemaBlend about his encounters with Parisians that didn't happen in front of a camera.

Christopher Meloni Opened Up About Fan Encounters In France

While Christopher Meloni is undoubtedly best known for playing Detective Elliot Stabler for twelve seasons of SVU and four seasons of Law & Order: Organized Crime so far, he branched out this summer with the release of the Catch a Cat Burglar: Purry Duty podcast, which is currently available on Spotify, Apple, and all major platforms.

I spoke with Meloni shortly after he finished his time in Paris, so I asked what it has been like for him to attend the Olympics and promote a podcast during the time of year when he'd usually be in Stabler mode to film Organized Crime in NYC. He explained:

Meloni will be filming Organized Crime again at some point, but the show's move from NBC to streaming on Peacock means that it won't necessarily keep on a similar schedule to Law & Order and SVU anymore. So, he was able to visit Paris for the Olympics without having to leave the OC set, which was apparently a step up from the Atlanta Olympics in 1996!

Of course, both SVU and OC are pretty dark shows, but frequent SVU marathons on cable TV as well as its status streaming for both Peacock and Hulu subscribers have turned Special Victims Unit into comfort viewing for a lot of people. When I asked Meloni if he often hears that from fans, he shared:

The closest that Christopher Meloni came to appearing on Law & Order: SVU in its milestone 25th season was a voice cameo in the season finale, but that may have been due more to the WGA writers strike delays than anything else. Fans of Stabler and Benson on SVU – or "unité spéciale," to quote the Parisians – may be able to see them back together in the 2024-2025 TV season, though. For now, take a look at Meloni living his best Olympics life in France:

If you're now in the mood for some Stabler action, you can find all four seasons of Organized Crime so far streaming on Peacock, as well as all of Christopher Meloni's seasons as an SVU regular. You can also check out the Catch a Cat Burglar: Purry Duty podcast with Meloni on major podcast platforms.

Right as Christopher Meloni was starting his work on Law and Order: SVU as Detective Elliot Stabler, the actor had another big acting gig in front of him. Meloni was cast as Julia Roberts’ fiancé in 1999’s Runaway Bride. This movie was a huge deal for many reasons. Not only was Roberts the queen of rom-coms in the '90s, but this would also be the return to her collaboration with Richard Gere. A lot of eyes were on the project, and Meloni recently opened up about how difficult he found working on the film to be.

In an interview with People, the Law and Order: SVU star was asked about his role in Runaway Bride, as the film celebrates its 25th anniversary. It was a major opportunity for Meloni, but it seems like, at the time, the actor was more intimidated than excited, especially when it came to working with the all-star ensemble cast. He said:

Another part of it that intimidated Meloni was the genre. It was a big studio comedy, where the emphasis on being funny for the camera was present and endlessly important. Doing so, without being cheesy or hammy was a delicate balance that the actor discovered very quickly wasn’t always easy. He continued:

It’s no surprise that Roberts was effortlessly able to maintain the comedy/heartfelt balance. Throughout the late '80s and '90s, this became her specialty. Movies like Mystic Pizza, Pretty Woman, and My Best Friend’s Wedding became signature movies of Roberts’, and they still resonate with audiences today. Also, going into Runaway Bride with already established chemistry with Gere probably felt like a certified home run for the actress, and she could just focus on doing what she does best.

Even though Meloni may have been intimidated by the experience, those who have seen the movie wouldn’t be able to tell. He is perfect as the goofy, over-the-top high school football coach determined to wed Roberts. He is great throughout, but especially shines in the scene where he’s in utter shock after Roberts’ character kisses Gere during their “wedding practice.” His look of bewilderment followed by swiftly punching the handsome actor in the face is priceless, and one of the most memorable scenes in Runaway Bride.

Meloni has yet to return to the rom-com genre, but if he ever decided to, he’d likely be welcomed back with open arms. He is a great dramatic actor, with an underrated funny streak that hasn’t had the ability to shine through in some of his more recent projects. After the success of Anyone But You, rom-coms seem to be making a comeback, and this could be the perfect opportunity for fans to see Meloni lead with maybe more confidence than he had while shooting Runaway Bride.

You can revisit Christopher Meloni’s performance in Runaway Bride with a Paramount+ subscription. Fans can also see him in Law & Order: Organized Crime which has episodes available now with a Peacock subscription.

Christopher Meloni may be best known for nearly two decades of work within the Law & Order franchise, but he's branching out for his newest project as Organized Crime remains on hiatus ahead of its Peacock debut. The fan-favorite actor has partnered with the Temptations cat food company for a "true" crime podcast called Catch A Cat Burglar: Purry Duty. In case the pun-tastic title isn't proof enough that this is a fun project, Meloni opened up to CinemaBlend about what made him want to join something so different from his usual work.

The plot of Catch A Cat Burglar: Purry Duty centers on the trial of Mr. Pawgers, who stands accused of robbing a pet store of its Temptations Wet Cat Food. Plenty of evidence seems to point toward Mr. Pawgers, but can his guilt be proven beyond a reasonable doubt? Only one episode has released so far, but Meloni gets a strong start as star, and he's definitely not playing Detective Stabler 2.0. When I spoke with Meloni, I noted that I did a bit of a double take when I read that he, true crime, and cat food were all going to be wrapped up in one interactive project, and he replied:

Meloni is no stranger to voiceover work, with voice credits on Rick and Morty, Harley Quinn, and the 2024 film IF in just the past couple of years. A podcast was something new, however, and working with Temptations for Purry Duty (which premiered on August 1) let him flex his comedic muscles in a way that's rarely possible for him in the Law & Order world. He went on:

The first episode of Catch A Cat Burglar: Purry Duty is already available as well as a trailer, and listeners can hear Meloni playing the story completely straight in his narration, which makes it all the funnier when he's slipping in cat puns. All in all, it's easy to see why the company wanted Meloni involved in the wet cat food caper!

Listeners will also find that he's definitely branching out from Detective Stabler for Purry Duty, which led me to ask Meloni if he's always up to try new things in his career. He explained his approach as well as how Temptations won him over:

Mr. Pawgers was the offender in Season 1 of Catch A Cat Burglar; whether he's a repeat offender on Purry Duty remains to be seen, with new episodes releasing on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Temptations' social channels starting on August 1 and finishing on August 15. There's a fun step in between that will directly involve listeners, as Meloni explained:

Yes, you will in fact be able to vote on Mr. Pawgers' guilt or innocence with this podcast. Four of the cat's nine lives are at stake depending on the verdict. All in all, the podcast sounds like an entertaining project for cat lovers as well as fans of Christopher Meloni. He summed up why people should check out the Temptations podcast, saying:

While Christopher Meloni may not have one of Taylor Swift's cats named after him like his former on-screen partner Mariska Hargitay does, this cat-themed project is worth checking out. If you're still undecided, take a look/listen at the trailer:

Whether you're a cat person, a crime procedural fan, or just want to enjoy a Christopher Meloni project during the wait to learn if Law & Order: Organized Crime will return before the end of the 2024 TV schedule, you can give Catch A Cat Burglar: Purry Duty a listen. The podcast will be available on Spotify, Apple, and Temptations social accounts.

Oz never won an Emmy for best series or any other major awards, but its cast of inmates, prison staff, and other fourth-wall-breaking characters were more than deserving of any and all praise received during the HBO show’s six-season run. And while series creator Tom Fontana had a habit of killing off many of those beloved personalities without a moment’s notice, there were several dozen that were around for a long time.

Here are 32 Oz characters that appeared in the most episodes. 

Warden Leo Glynn - 56 Episodes

Oswald State Penitentiary, or Oswald State Correctional Facility, as it’s known in later seasons, warden Leo Glynn (Ernie Hudson) appeared in all 56 episodes of Oz, and was a major player in just about every single one of those installments. Though other characters had more to do, Glynn’s longevity and ability to survive scandal should be marveled.

Vern Schillinger - 56 Episodes

Prisoner #92S110, Vern Schillinger  (J.K. Simmons) was undoubtedly one of the most terrifying characters on Oz. The head of the prison’s Aryan Brotherhood chapter, this unapologetic neo-Nazi took great pleasure in making life miserable for his fellow inmates, with a particular amount of attention pointed towards one cellmate in particular throughout his 56-episode run.

Tobias Beecher - 56 Episodes

Prisoner #97B412, Tobias Beecher (Lee Tergesen) was one of the only main characters to survive Oz and appeared in all 56 episodes. However, Beecher didn’t leave unscathed, as the prison system turned him from a man convicted of vehicular manslaughter serving 15 years to one of the most unhinged inmates in the “Emerald City.”

Ryan O’Reily - 56 Episodes

Before Dean Winters was showing up as part of the Law & Order: SVU cast or portraying “Mayhem” in those Allstate commercials, he took on the role of Ryan O’Reily, aka Prisoner #97P904, in every episode of Oz. Sentenced to life in prison, O’Reily did everything he could to make life enjoyable for himself and painful for everyone else, which didn’t always work out for the inmate.

Bob Redabow - 56 Episodes

Prisoner #65R814, Bob Redabow (George Morfogen) was the oldest inmate living in Emerald City as well as one of the few prisoners to survive all six seasons of Oz. One of the few inmates who could navigate from group to group without facing any serious repercussions, Redabow was essentially the prison’s grandfather figure with all kinds of quirks and odd behaviors.

Tim McManus - 55 Episodes

Portrayed by Terry Kinney, Tim McManus was the mastermind behind the Emerald City project and a pivotal figure throughout all six seasons of Oz. However, McManus wasn’t around for the entire series as he was absent from an episode about halfway through the show’s run.

Sister Peter Marie Reimondo - 55 Episodes

Sister Peter Marie Reimondo, portrayed by Oscar-winner Rita Moreno, was a no-nonsense yet compassionate Catholic nun who provided emotional and spiritual support for inmates and prison staff alike. Appearing in all but one episode – the Oz Season 1 finale – Sister Pete was instrumental in the show’s progress and major storylines.

Augustus Hill - 55 Episodes

Prisoner #95H522, Augustus Hill (Harold Perrineau) was a prisoner serving life for second-degree murder and drug possession who also acted as the series’ narrator. At the beginning and end of nearly every episode, HIll’s narrator would set up the story, offer commentary, and play with the audience in extravagant and unforgettable ways.

Kareem Said - 51 Episodes

Prisoner #97S444, Kareem Said (Eamonn Walker) was sentenced to serve 18 years in prison for committing arson and second-degree murder, a sentence that ended up being for life by the time it was said and done. A key figure in several of the show’s biggest storylines, Said appeared in 51 of 56 episodes, putting him near the top of the list.

Poet - 49 Episodes

Prisoner #96J352, Arnold “Poet” Jackson, portrayed by the late Craig “Mums” Grant, was actually released from prison and given a second chance at life partway through his 16-year sentence for attempted murder. However, the former drug user with a knack for the written word and slam poetry didn’t make it long in the outside world before he was back in Emerald City as Prisoner #98J448, appearing in 49 episodes overall.

Zahir Arif - 48 Episodes

Prisoner #97A622, Zahir Arif (Granville Adams) was one of Kareem Said’s most faithful Muslim followers throughout Oz and had a reputation of being one of the show’s most peaceful and cool-headed inmates. A major player in all six seasons, Arif showed up in 48 episodes.

Agamemnon Busmalis - 47 Episodes

Introduced in Oz Season 2, Agamemnon Busmalis (Tom Mardirosian), aka Prisoner #98B242, was one of the strangest and most interesting inmates living in Emerald City. Given the nickname “The Mole” because of his expertise in breaking and entering, Busmalis was around for all but a few episodes.

Miguel Alvarez - 47 Episodes

Miguel Alvarez (Kirk Acevedo), or Prisoner #97A413, appeared in a total of 47 episodes by the time everything was said and done in Oz. At times evil, vindictive, and scheming while at others moral and sympathetic, Alvarez was one of the most interesting and well-written characters to call Em City home.

Father Ray Mukada - 46 Episodes

Portrayed by BD Wong, Father Ray Mukada was a key member of the prison staff in Oz, providing emotional and spiritual assistance for anyone who asked. However, he was prone to lose it from time to time and get wrapped up in storylines that went against his religious background.

Chucky Pancamo - 46 Episodes

Chucky Pancamo (Chuck Zito), aka Prisoner #97P468, was one of the most physically intimidating prisoners on Oz and also one of the most present members of the “Wiseguys” mafia-adjacent group. From his introduction in Season 2 and until the series finale, Pancamo was a tough-as-nails character.

Officer Joseph Mineo - 46 Episodes

Though you probably don’t remember him, Officer Joseph Mineo (Philip V. Scozzarella) appeared in 46 episodes of Oz, though mostly in the background. Still, Mineo managed to survive to see the series through when so many others met their maker.

Cyril O’Reily - 45 Episodes

Cyril O’Reily (Scott William Winters), better known as Prisoner #98P284, was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murder which was ordered by his brother, Ryan. Mentally handicapped after being injured in a fight, Cyril was largely seen as a more sympathetic character on Oz and was featured in 45 episodes.

Chico Guerra - 40 Episodes

Prisoner #96G522, Chico Guerra (Otto Sanchez) was a somewhat integral prisoner throughout all but the first season of Oz. A member of the Latinos group in Emerald City, Chico was always up to some scheme, oftentimes involving Miguel Alvarez.

Officer Sean Murphy - 38 Episodes

Officer Sean Murphy (Robert Clohessy) was the head of security in Emerald City and one of the most honest and virtuous characters featured throughout the series. Appearing in 38 episodes, Murphy was someone well-liked by all in the prison.

Chris Keller - 37 Episodes

When it comes to unhinged Oz characters, few come close to Chris Keller (Christopher Meloni). Introduced as Prisoner #98K514 partway through the show’s second season, Keller was the devil incarnate, especially during his tense relationship with Tobias Beecher. And talk about a kill-count, Keller played a role in nearly two dozen deaths.

James Robson - 36 Episodes

Prisoner #97R492, James Robson (R.E. Rodgers) earned a trip to Oswald State Penitentiary after being convicted of first-degree murder and being sentenced to 25-to-life. A key figure in Vern Schillinger’s Aryan Brotherhood group outside of Emerald City, Robson did a lot of the dirty work and had crazy survival instincts, which led to some wild situations throughout the 36 episodes in which he appeared.

Officer Claire Howell - 35 Episodes

Officer Claire Howell (Kristin Rohde) was one of the most predatory characters featured in all of Oz, which is saying something. Featured in 35 episodes, Howell preyed on prisoners like Ryan O’Reilly, Chris Keller, and others and forced them to fulfill her needs and insatiable appetite. Oh, and she was incredibly violent.

Officer Len Lopresti - 33 Episodes

Officer Len Lopresti (Carl DiMaggio) was one of the meaner, more violent, and more racist prison guards featured throughout Oz. Though he appeared in 33 episodes, a lot of the time he was only spotted in the background or watching over death row inmates.

Jaz Hoyt - 33 Episodes

Portrayed by Biohazard frontman Evan Seinfeld, Jaz Hoyt, Prisoner #98H432, was a key member of the biker gang set up in Oswald and played a role in some of the bigger storylines throughout his stay. He pretty much appeared in every episode from the time of his Season 2 debut until the series finale some years later.

Simon Adebisi - 32 Episodes

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje portrayed Simon Adebisi, Prisoner #93A234, throughout the first four seasons of Oz, appearing in a total of 32 episodes. A ruthless prisoner who played a major role in the prison’s drug trade and more senseless acts of violence, Adebisi was also one of the most unhinged and unforgettable characters from the series.

Governor James Devlin - 27 Episodes

Governor James Devlin (Zeljko Ivanek) is in the running for biggest prick in Oz as the self-serving politician stopped at nothing to make himself look better by making everyone else do the hard part. Featured in all six seasons, Devlin was a thorn in the side of prison staff, especially Warden Leo Glynn.

Timmy Kirk - 28 Episodes

Prisoner #96K423, Timmy Kirk (Sean Dugan) was a key part of the Irish gang established in Oswald State Penitentiary and popped up in a total of 28 episodes before it was all said and done. And spoiler alert, but Kirk was killed off in electric fashion, quite literally, in the show’s sixth and final season.

Enrique Morales - 26 Episodes

An actor who may have forgotten was on Oz, David Zayas portrayed Enrique Morales in a total of 26 episodes. Prisoner #00M871, Morales came to Em City in the show’s fourth season and made an impact on the power dynamic by forming an alliance with Chuck Pancamo. That wouldn’t last long though…

Burr Redding - 23 Episodes

Burr Redding (Anthony Chisholm), Prisoner #01R289, showed up at the end of Oz Season 4 and made an immediate impact in Emerald City. The stepfather of Augustus Hill, Redding quickly took over the Homeboys gang following the death of its former leader, Simon Adebisi, and made the outfit one of the toughest in the prison. In his 23 episodes, Redding made friends, enemies, and a series of decisions that led to major events later on.

Kenny Wangler - 23 Episodes

Kenny “Bricks” Wangler (J.D. Williams), aka Prisoner #97W566, became the youngest inmate living within the confines of Emerald City after being convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison at the age of 16. A major player in the show’s first four seasons, Wangler was one of Simon Adebisi’s key allies as well as someone who would do anything asked of him for his crew. Williams would end up playing one of the most-used characters on The Wire several years later.

Officer Diane Wittlesey - 23 Episodes

Before Edie Falco went on to star in The Sopranos, she played Officer Diane Whittlesey in the early seasons of Oz. One of the highest-ranking prison guards in Oswarld, Whittlesey often spent her time in Emerald City where she was firm but fair with inmates and prison staff alike. All in all, Falco showed up in 23 episodes of Oz before her character went to England on vacation and fell in love with a Royal Guardsman, much to the chagrin of on-again, off-again love interest Tim McManus.

Omar White - 22 Episodes

Portrayed by Michael Wright, Omar White, Prisoner #01W711 was one of the wildest and most unpredictable inmates to ever enter the walls of Oswald State Penitentiary. Introduced in the final episodes of Season 4, White remained a key figure in and around Emerald City for the remaining years of the show, appearing in a total of 22 episodes. If there was a major storyline in the final three seasons, White was involved someway or somehow and for better or worse. 

The world is tuning in to the Paris Olympics on the 2024 TV schedule to see the best of the best athletes compete in a wide variety of sports. However, it’s also been bringing out some pretty big stars. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande gave posh Wicked vibes at the Olympics opening ceremony, while Celine Dion gave her first performance since being diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome. In addition, many other celebrities are attending the long-awaited event, including Christopher Meloni, who has been hanging out with Snoop Dogg and other A-listers, and man, what I would give to be a fly on the wall.

While Law & Order: SVU has started filming, Law & Order: Organized Crime's star isn't on the set of his show yet, he's in Paris! Yep, Meloni is abroad for the Olympics, and he is taking in every moment. The actor took to Instagram to share his Parisian adventure so far, including photos with Snoop Dogg, Alan Cumming, and Elizabeth Banks:

Meloni seems to be enjoying every second of his trip, and the Olympics have only just begun. It makes me wish more than ever that I was famous or rich enough to hop on a flight to Paris to hang out with all of the celebrities in attendance and watch some of the world's greatest athletes compete for medals. Sports really do unite people, and it’s always fun to see celebrities hanging out with other famous folks you wouldn’t even think of.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Christopher Meloni shared even more photos in the coming days, and I'm sure we'll see an abundance of A-listers posting photo dumps like his. Whether they are there to cheer on their country or to cover the Olympics -- which is what Snoop Dogg, Kelly Clarkson, Jimmy Fallon and more are doing -- it’s all entertaining. It also makes me wonder how many are in Tahiti with Colin Jost to cover surfing, because that seems like the event and vacation of a lifetime.

On top of the celebrity interactions, there will be much to look forward to with the Olympics. And that’s aside from Beyoncé introducing Team USA during the opening ceremony. With some veteran athletes and new ones, the nearly 600 people representing the country are more than ready to compete and take some medals home, and it’s going to be exciting to see how they do.

Meanwhile, as Christopher Meloni has fun in Paris, he is gearing up for the fifth season of Law & Order: Organized Crime, which will hopefully be coming soon for those with a Peacock subscription. Not much has been revealed for the upcoming season, but with it exclusively streaming, the possibilities are endless. It will surely be an installment fans won’t want to miss, and the wait will certainly be worth it.

While we wait, though, make sure to stay tuned for more of Meloni's Olympic adventures on social media, and watch the games for yourself on NBC and Peacock.

NBC previously packed Thursday nights with procedural action with three solid hours of the Law & Order franchise, but that will change in the fall of the 2024 TV schedule with Law & Order: Organized Crime moving to streaming for Season 5 for Peacock Premium subscribers. The story of New York's Organized Crime Control Bureau will continue with Christopher Meloni in his iconic role as Det. Elliot Stabler; fans just shouldn't expect to see it paired with Law & Order: SVU in primetime again.

Some elements of the show are bound to change with a move from network TV to streaming, while others will remain the same. Let's get into what to expect from the arrival of Law & Order: Organized Crime on Peacock as an original.

What Is Law & Order: Organized Crime's Season 5 Premiere Date?

At the time of writing, no premiere date has been confirmed for Season 5. Of the four seasons of Organized Crime so far, two premiered alongside Law & Order and SVU for 22-episode runs starting in September of that year, but the eight-episode first season premiered in April 2021 and the 13-episode fourth season (affected by the WGA writers strike) premiered in January 2024. According to Deadline, the fifth season is expected to run for ten episodes. Mark-Paul Gosselaar's Found Season 2 will take OC's previous 10 p.m. ET Thursday slot on NBC starting in the fall.

Why Law & Order: Organized Crime Is Moving To Peacock

There was some confusion in the spring when Organized Crime was the only show in NBC's branch of the nine-show Dick Wolf TV universe not to be renewed. After rumors of a move to streaming, the transition was finally confirmed in early May. Later that month, NBCUniversal Entertainment President of Programming Planning Strategy Jeff Bader explained the move to Peacock to TVLine, saying:

According to the NBCUniversal exec, the issue was never a lack of success for the delay in Organized Crime's renewal. It remains to be seen how much of the audience follows Stabler and Co. to Peacock.

What Law & Order: Organized Crime Will Be About

At the time of writing, no details have been confirmed for Organized Crime Season 5's story. That said, the end of Season 4 that brought OC full circle also delivered a cliffhanger with the big bad of the year – arms and drug dealer Julian Emery – escaping the task force with a briefcase of chemical weapons, with Joe Stabler Jr. in tow.

Emery escaped with a not-entirely-willing Joe Jr. on the heels of Stabler's latest dangerous undercover op and the murder of fellow NYPD detective Samir Bashir, who was such a kind family man that fans perhaps should have known he wouldn't survive long in the intensity of Organized Crime.

Assuming the stars align for the cast members whose characters survived the most recent finale, it seems likely that Season 5 will pick up where Season 4 left off, with or without a time jump.

What Stars Are Returning For Season 5?

NBCUniversal's initial announcement of the renewal and move to Peacock only confirmed the return of Christopher Meloni as Elliot Stabler as well as John Shiban as showrunner, after Danielle Moné Truitt raved about what the Breaking Bad vet brought to Organized Crime. Truitt and Ainsley Seiger are the last remaining series regulars from OC's first season alongside Meloni, and it'd be surprising if they're not back as Sergeant Bell and Jet.

Rick Gonzalez also seems likely to return as Reyes, as well as Dean Norris (Randall), Michael Trotter (Joe Jr), Ellen Burstyn (Bernie), and Nicky Torchia (Eli) as the extended Stabler family, plus Tom Payne (Julian Emery). Speaking with CinemaBlend earlier in 2024, Norris and Trotter expressed hopes that fans were having fun with Season 4. Tate Ellington's return as Vargas seems less certain, although he too expressed gratitude toward fans campaigning for the renewal.

What New Stars Are Joining Season 5?

Peacock has not yet confirmed any new stars who will join Organized Crime for the Season 5 move to Peacock. Unlike the third season, the fourth didn't end with a series regular being killed off, so until we know which cast members are coming back, it's too soon to guess about potential replacements.

Crossover Potential With Law & Order: SVU

After Law & Order: Organized Crime launched back in 2021 as a backdoor pilot of Law & Order: SVU with the very-long awaited reunion between Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), is it any wonder the OC/SVU crossovers were always highly anticipated? OC Season 4 and SVU Season 25 didn't deliver any two-parters or on-screen reunions despite the previous season finales ending on a hopeful note for them; is there still hope now that the shows won't air on the same platform? Hargitay told Variety this following OC's renewal in May:

As Hargitay alluded, the closest that OC and SVU delivered to a Stabler/Benson reunion in the 2023-2024 TV season was Stabler leaving his former partner a voicemail and Benson calling Stabler – with a voice cameo from Meloni – following the stressful Season 25 finale standoff. In her interview, she sounded optimistic about an NBC/Peacock crossover for the two characters, so there's certainly still hope.

Where To Watch Seasons 1-4

For all the unanswered questions and as the wait continues for the return of Law & Order: Organized Crime, there is good news for fans. Despite not being available streaming for some time, all four seasons of OC so far are currently streaming on Peacock. Every season of SVU is available on the NBCUniversal streamer as well, so OC fans have the option of revisiting every crossover with Benson and Stabler.

More news should continue to release about Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5's move to Peacock in the coming months, although details may be few and far between since a fall premiere isn't guaranteed. Stay tuned!

With the Law & Order shows on break until the fall, fans are likely turning to their Peacock subscriptions to get their fix and keep occupied. They will also likely be preparing to watch Law & Order: Organized Crime strictly on the streamer come Season 5, because it might mean fewer crossovers with SVU and less time between Olivia and Elliot. However, whether the shows continue to bring these fan-favorite characters together or not, Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni are still hanging out in real life, as they demonstrated with a cute L&O moment that will truly make your day.

The longtime friends and former on-screen partners (who even auditioned for L&O together) were recently hanging out, and Meloni documented the experience on his Instagram for one particular reason. He and Hargitay were greeted by a pianist who started playing the iconic Law & Order theme song, and Meloni captioned that they were “always at work.” They got a real kick out of it, especially Hargitay, who was bopping along to the infectious theme, as you can see below:

Despite working in the franchise for two decades, neither of them seems to be tired of it, and I can’t say I blame them. Plenty of fans took to the comments to share their love for the video and the iconic duo too:

• 🙌🙌🙌❤️❤️❤️ -reelsnapier
• Sooo adorable! 💜💙 -spoonieonice
• The best partner duo ❤️ -jaquin824
• this is the greatest thing i’ve ever watched -cruclare
• It's always good to see you and @therealmariskahargitay together, Chris and i love you two so much!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😊 -darrellcurry228

The official Law & Order account also commented with this accurate message:

Since there wasn’t an on-screen reunion for Bensler in the most recent Law & Order seasons, fans have been itching for anything they can get between Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni. 

The two did reunite just ahead of the finales, so at least there’s that. Hargitay also previously revealed a key Bensler moment that was improvised during SVU’s early days, which came after Kathy gave birth following an accident. Now that the shows are on hiatus, it seems like the beloved actors are still not getting breaks from each other or the franchise, and they like it that way.

Once the Law & Order shows start back up again on the 2024 TV schedule, it may be hard to get another reunion going, mostly because SVU and Organized Crime will no longer be on the same platform. However, it's not impossible as both series will still be filming in New York and very likely in the same studio, meaning that a reunion is in the cards.

If the two were able to keep up a friendship after Meloni initially left Law & Order: SVU, not much should change when Law & Order: OC moves to Peacock, except for the latter having longer episodes and potentially even darker storylines. It will be something to get used to, but their relationship, sweet personal moments like this and the theme song shall never change.

Throughout Law & Order: SVU’s 25-season run, fans have been anxiously waiting to see Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler’s relationship grow into something more. The former partners have clear yet complicated feelings for each other, and the fact that Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni have been close since their L&O auditions only helps deepen that chemistry. Now, Hargitay is revealing that a key moment between them was actually improvised, and it makes me love Bensler even more.

Benson and Stabler’s personal and professional relationship is arguably one of the best parts of SVU, because the pair truly cares for one another and the same can be said for the actors. While looking back at her time on the long-running NBC drama with Vanity Fair, Hargitay watched a scene from Season 9, Episode 9, “Paternity,” where Stabler suddenly hugged Benson after both Kathy and the baby were doing well following an accident. It turns out that viewers weren’t the only ones pleasantly surprised by this, as the actress said:

It only took nine seasons for the two to really show any affection toward each other, and it made the scene awfully special. Now, it's an even better scene because it was all Meloni who decided to do the hug, taking both Hargitay and Benson by genuine surprise. It was definitely the start of a new kind of relationship between the two of them, even if fans had been rooting for the duo since the start of the series.

There have been a lot of Bensler moments over the years that have helped solidify their relationship and further prove that they work well together, both professionally and personally. It surely helps that even after all these years, Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni have a close relationship. 

In May, the two reunited ahead of the Law & Order finales, and it made me want even more Benson and Stabler. There wasn’t an on-screen reunion between the characters in the finales, but she did call him after giving away the compass necklace, which he understood. 

It might be a little harder now for there to be an on-screen Bensler reunion since Organized Crime is moving to streaming and will be available through a Peacock subscription come Season 5. It isn’t completely out of the question tough. Plus, fans did have to wait over 10 years for Meloni to return to the Law & Order franchise. Surely, they can wait a little bit to see Bensler hug once again.

Waiting for Benson and Stabler to be reunited again does give fans the chance to rewatch SVU and Organized Crime on Peacock and look even closer at more Bensler scenes. If Christopher Meloni improvised one scene, who knows how many more he and Mariska Hargitay came up with.

John Krasinski’s movie IF stars quite the ensemble of A-list actors, however, you don’t see most of them on screen, because they are voicing the imaginary friends Cailey Fleming and Ryan Reynolds' characters are trying to help. However, the director didn’t leave it all up to his stars’ imaginations when they were filming with the IFs, he had puppets that he used to mimic how the animated characters would act. This led to a hilarious moment Fleming told me about that involved Krasinski getting up in Rynolds’ face with one of the IFs, and now I need the deleted scenes.

The moment Fleming is talking about can be seen in part in the IF trailer as well as the movie. Her character, Cal and Lewis (a bear voiced by Louis Gossett Jr.) are interviewing the IFs to start the process of matching them with humans. One of the friends is a shadowy investigator named Cosmo, and when he sees Cal at the table he attacks him. 

On set, that meant that while Kraskinski was puppeteering Cosmo, he got to shove Reynolds’ around, get all up in his face and mimic the attack. The actress who sits next to the Deadpool star in the scene recalled what it was like witnessing this silly moment, saying:

I love this for everyone involved. The scene in the movie is so funny, and it helps show the imagination that makes the movie so fun – as we mentioned in our review of IF. Knowing that they used puppets on set to help the actors have visuals for the imaginary friends is incredible. Finding out that Krasinski had a blast puppeteering them and committing to bits like attacking Ryenolds with the Cosmo puppet makes me love the movie more. 

In IF – which Krasinski wrote and directed – Ryan Reynolds’ character Cal is trying to help Fleming’s Bea work with the IFs to reconnect them with humans. Cosmo is an aggressive detective-like figure who is always jumping on Cal and scaring him, and he’s easily one of my favorite IFs. Meloni’s voice performance is fabulous, plus his Law and Order history adds to the fun of him playing a detective imaginary friend. 

Learning about how Krasinski created Cosmo’s mannerisms on set adds to that fun, and I would have cracked up just like Fleming did.

While she said she broke and she’s sure the scene isn’t in the movie, I can confirm it is. However, the moment is part of a montage and it’s quite short. So, hopefully, we get some deleted scenes where we can see more of Cosmo hilariously attacking Ryan Reynolds. 

After explaining the interview scene to me, Fleming also broke down another funny moment between Cal and Cosmo…I mean Reynolds and Krasinski, saying:

How could you not laugh at these moments? Reynolds and Krasinski – who are good friends in real life – are a fantastic duo, and if I were witnessing moments like this I would have broken too. Just watch this BTS video of the two, and I think you’ll get where Fleming is coming from:

Hopefully, after IF’s premiere on the 2024 movie schedule, we’ll get some behind-the-scenes footage of Krasinski attacking Reynolds and other deleted scenes of Cal and Cosmo’s friendship that involves a whole lot of jump scares.   

IF is a total departure from John Krasinski’s other projects, and it’s a family-friendly joy ride full of fun antics like this one between Cosmo and Cal. To see the scene Cailey Fleming told me about, and to imagine what other hilariously wholesome moments Ryan Reynolds and Krasinski had on set with the actress and the IFs, you can catch the film in theaters starting May 17. 

All three Law & Order shows are on the verge of ending their current seasons in the spring 2024 TV schedule. Unfortunately for fans of the Olivia Benson/Elliot Stabler dynamic after the last seasons of SVU and Organized Crime ended with them closer than ever, neither has crossed over to the other's show lately. So, it's nice to see Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni hanging out and looking happy, with both actors sharing some photos of a recent reunion.

The two Law & Order franchise stars reunited in Los Angeles to celebrate Arthur Forney, an editor and producer with credits on all of the entries in the nine-show Dick Wolf TV universe. Mariska Hargitay shared this photo standing with her former SVU partner, and it really makes me miss seeing them on screen together as Benson and Stabler. Take a look:

It's not altogether shocking that NBC didn't deliver a crossover event between SVU and Organized Crime in 2024, due to the constraints from the WGA writers strike and SAG-AFTRA actors strike that delayed the current seasons. Plus, OC is back to pretty heavy serialization rather than cases of the week that could have easily incorporated Benson and Special Victims. There have been Benson/Stabler crumbs, with Benson regularly wearing the compass necklace he gave her and Stabler reaching out to her over the phone.

Still, after the 2023 spring finales nailed Benson and Stabler's relationship, I still wish that we'd gotten to see them together for a two-parter in 2024. It's possible that SVU or OC will include a cameo in the finales on May 16, but I'm not holding my breath. It also remains to be seen if crossovers will be possible moving forward, with Law & Order: SVU remaining on NBC for Season 26 and Law & Order: Organized Crime moving to Peacock for Season 5.

Whatever the future holds, Chris Meloni shared some extra photos from his and Hargitay's night celebrating a longtime Wolf Entertainment team member:

The various photos were posted not too long after Organized Crime's move to Peacock was finally confirmed, officially guaranteeing that each of the nine current scripted Dick Wolf TV shows has at least one more season in it. Both Law & Order and SVU will continue releasing their newest episodes on Thursday nights on NBC before streaming next day. Personally, I'm wondering if Peacock will release new episodes on of OC on Thursdays to keep up with SVU and L&O, or simply release on Fridays when the latest from the other two also arrive.

For now, be sure to tune in to NBC on Thursday, May 16 starting at 8 p.m. ET for the Season 23 finale of Law & Order, followed by SVU's Season 25 finale at 9 p.m. ET and OC's Season 4 finale at 10 p.m. ET. You can also find all three shows streaming with a Peacock Premium subscription now.

The spring portion of the 2024 TV schedule will come to an end in the not-too-distant future, with broadcast network finales on the way en masse in May. While that's not too stressful for viewers of shows like Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU that have already been renewed, fans of Law & Order: Organized Crime aren't so lucky. So, with questions about if OC has a future on NBC, SVU leading lady Mariska Hargitay opened up about whether Christopher Meloni could come back to his old SVU stomping grounds.

Could Christopher Meloni Return To Law & Order: SVU?

While Christopher Meloni has only appeared in eleven episodes of SVU over the four seasons that Stabler has been back in the Law & Order world, Stabler is still very much synonymous with SVU for many longtime viewers due to his intense relationship with Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson over twelve seasons back in the day.

Benson and Stabler haven't shared the screen in 2024 so far, and both SVU and OC are running out of episodes to squeeze in a crossover of one or the other before the end of the season. That's a stressful status quo in light of Organized Crime not yet being renewed for Season 5, but Mariska Hargitay's comments to Variety suggest that there's hope for a future:

Personally, I find it hard to imagine a Special Victims Unit with Stabler working under Benson as his captain, but stranger things have happened in a series that has run for 25 seasons and nearly 550 episodes at the time of writing. Mariska Hargitay also shared that she and Meloni originally thought that the near-miss kiss of Season 24 "should go one way and the powers that be didn’t," saying that Dick Wolf had the final say over the controversial scene.

As for whether Benson and Stabler could share the screen before the end of the current SVU and OC seasons... well, we can only wait and see, although Hargitay commented that they "want to hold the tension and do what’s right and truthful for both characters." And fans might feel a lot better about that if there was an update on Organized Crime!

Why Law & Order: Organized Crime Isn't Renewed Yet

Fans of OC have had reason to worry ever since NBC renewed Law & Order and SVU back in March, with discussions still ongoing about the fates of Stabler and Co. More recently, reports have circulated that Organized Crime will indeed be renewed... but to stream for Peacock Premium subscribers rather than continue airing on NBC to close out the Law & Order Thursday nights.

A move to Peacock hasn't been confirmed yet, but fan reactions to the continued wait have shown that plenty of people definitely want to see the OC action continue. One star recently opened up about what it has been like to see the outpouring of support from viewers. Unfortunately, Organized Crime remains for now on the list of shows that need to be renewed or cancelled, and the wait for news continues just as does the wait for Benson and Stabler to share the screen once more.

For now, keep tuning in to NBC on Thursdays for the latest in the Law & Order world, starting with the original series at 8 p.m. ET, continuing with SVU at 9 p.m. ET, and concluding with Organized Crime at 10 p.m. ET. All three shows are currently available streaming on Peacock as well.

Some of our best horror movies have been centered around characters who just so happen to be legendary creatures of the night: vampires. And, because of the enduring popularity of these mythological bloodsuckers, not only do we also have a number of TV vamps, but many famous actors who’ve portrayed some version of the famed, usually-human-looking beasts. Here for you now are 32 actors who’ve played a vampire.

Eddie Murphy (Vampire In Brooklyn)

So many vamps have been seen on screen that even a comedy and action movie legend like Eddie Murphy has played one. The 1995 horror comedy, Vampire in Brooklyn, saw the star play the last member of a group of Caribbean vampires, who hits New York to find a mate so that he can continue his family line.

Tom Cruise (Interview With The Vampire)

Who could forget the 1994 film that gave us Tom Cruise as the captivating and cruel (And blond!) bloodthirsty fiend, Lestat de Lioncourt, from author Anne Rice’s legendary novel series, The Vampire Chronicles? Of course, it also gave us Brad Pitt’s tortured vamp, Louis, and made a star out of young Kirsten Dunst.

Dakota Fanning (The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse)

While there are some obvious stars to add to this list, let us not forget that the cast of famous (and soon-to-be-famous) vampires in The Twilight Saga films was quite stacked. That roster included noted child star Dakota Fanning, who portrayed the villainous Volturi guard member, Jane, who was able to mentally create sensations of pain in those who she deemed worthy of punishment.

Evan Rachel Wood (True Blood)

Several vampire-focused TV shows have hit the airwaves over the past 20 or so years, so we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the HBO hit, True Blood. Many of its stars portrayed members of vamp-kind for most or all of the series’ seven seasons, but Evan Rachel Wood made an equally impressive (bloody) splash as the Vampire Queen of Louisiana, Sophie-Anne Leclerq, during her recurring guest appearances in Seasons 2-4.

Robert Pattinson (Twilight)

Back to Twilight! It’s not worth mentioning this franchise without bringing up lead romantic vamp Edward Cullen, as well as the man who brought him to life in five movies, eventuall live action Batman actor Robert Pattinson. Despite the fact that his love interest’s portrayer, Kristen Stewart, would have dumped Edward “immediately”!

Chloë Grace Moretz (Let Me In)

It’s possible that we don’t get creepier than kid vampires in movies and television shows, and that’s what we got with Chloë Grace Moretz’s Abby in the 2010 film, Let Me In. She befriends a young loner after moving into his apartment complex, but is (you guessed it) hiding nefarious purposes he could have never guessed, which end up taking his life in a most unexpected direction.

Salma Hayek (From Dusk Till Dawn)

This might be the shortest movie vampire appearance on the list, as 1996’s From Dusk Til Dawn saw Salma Hayek play the fanged exotic dancer, Santanico Pandemonium, only for about five memorable minutes that simply cannot be forgotten once witnessed.

Taika Waititi (What We Do In The Shadows)

Undead life isn’t always filled with glamorous globe-hopping adventure, gorgeous mates who can’t resist you and other perks, at least according to 2014’s What We Do in the Shadows, which concerns the rather mundane day-to-day lives of vampire roommates, of whom Taika Waititi’s uptight and nearly 400-year-old vamp, Viago, is among.

Theo James (Underworld: Awakening, Underworld: Blood Wars)

Another big screen franchise that depended on heaps of stars to populate its supernatural world is that of Underworld. Two sequels saw Theo James play the heroic vampire, David, heir to one of the main vamp covens, and lead Selene’s one steadfast ally during an important time in her journey.

Willem Dafoe (Shadow Of The Vampire)

Not many cinematic vampires are said to be based on a real person, but the one played by Willem Dafoe in 2000’s Shadow of the Vampire is. He portrayed a fictionalized version of the real Nosferatu lead actor, Max Schreck, whom the crew begins to suspect is an actual vampire because of his behavior and the strange goings-on surrounding filming.

Gerard Butler (Dracula 2000)

Speaking of vampires who are based on real people…Author Bram Stoker based his Dracula on Vlad the Impaler, and Gerard Butler played yet another version of the ever-popular character in a film from, yes, 2000. This tale sees the ancient vamp accidentally awoken by a group of thieves who find and steal his highly protected coffin, which had been watched over by generations of the Van Helsing family.

Wesley Snipes (Blade)

A Marvel character that will soon have another portrayer when the upcoming Blade reboot finally begins filming, the original action/horror trilogy famously saw Wesley Snipes take on the vampire/human hybrid titular lead, who’s a nearly unstoppable vamp hunter bent on taking down all members of the species who bit his mother and infected him with their supernatural blood while he was still in utero.

Colin Farrell (Fright Night)

If a scary and suave undead night stalker is your type, look no further than Colin Farrell’s Jerry Dandrige in 2011’s remake of the 1985 cult classic, Fright Night. He may have to eventually do battle with a couple of teenagers, but he sure looks darn good doing it.

Ethan Hawke (Daybreakers)

A movie that takes a more science-fiction approach to a world overrun by vampires is the 2009 film Daybreakers, which sees Ethan Hawke play a vamp hematologist who refuses to drink human blood and is looking for a synthetic option to their usual meal of choice that will stop humanity from being wiped out by his more brutal peers.

Luke Evans (Dracula Untold)

Again with Dracula? Why, yes! This time, Luke Evans plays a Vlad the Impaler who only becomes a vampire to have the strength, speed and ferocity to turn back an invading army in an attempt to save the people of his kingdom. Does it work out for him? Well, yes…and no.

Kate Beckinsale (Underworld)

There’s no mentioning the Underworld franchise without giving respect to the main heroine, Kate Beckinsale’s Selene. In the first film she’s a vampire looking to destroy the werewolves that killed her family, but she ends up uncovering a major secret about the two sets of creatures and falling in love with a human, instead.

Alicia Silverstone (Vamps)

This 2012 horror comedy sees Alicia Silverstone play Goody, an old vampire who tries to stay young and hip while helping her much younger bloodsucking buddy, Stacy (Krysten Ritter), get used to her powers as they try to abstain from the red stuff during their immortal and unholy (sorta) lives.

Pedro Pascal (Bloodsucking Bastards)

Ever wondered what working in an office that was slowly being overrun by vampires who care as much about the bottom line as they do about drinking blood would be like? Just watch Bloodsucking Bastards, where beloved The Last of Us cast member Pedro Pascal begins turning his employees into the titular immortals.

Jim Carrey (Once Bitten)

Jim Carrey’s first leading role came in this 1985 comedy, where he played a teen virgin turned into a vampire by an alluring, 400-year-old creature of the night, who seduced him so she could use his blood to keep her youthful appearance.

Paul Reubens (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

In the 1992 horror comedy that eventually led to the long-running series of the same name, the late Paul Reubens starred as Amilyn, a vamp doing the bidding of a much more powerful bloodsucker who’s ruling his kind in Los Angeles.

Alexander Skarsgård (True Blood)

While HBO’s True Blood was positively filled with the undead, few of them made as much of an impact on audiences (and the lead, Sookie) as Alexander Skarsgård’s cunning and alluring (but sorta evil) 1,000-year-old Eric Northman. This also happens to be the role that really made Skarsgård famous.

David Boreanaz (Buffy, Angel)

When it comes to popular TV vampires, no one can discount the reign of David Boreanaz as evil vamp turned heroic vamp (and then sometimes evil vamp again) Angel, whom he played on Buffy the Vampire Slayer beginning with the first episode in 1997, through wrapping his run on the fifth season series finale of his own show, Angel, in 2004.

Sterling K. Brown (Supernatural)

Sterling K. Brown may best be known now for delivering heartfelt emotions as Randall Pearson on This Is Us, but for four episodes across Seasons 2 and 3 of the CW mega-hit, Supernatural, he played Hunter and dedicated vamp-hater-turned-vampire, Gordon Walker, to astounding, understandably cold-blooded effect.

Kiefer Sutherland (The Lost Boys)

Even though Kiefer Sutherland was certainly a star on the rise by the time he starred in The Lost Boys in 1987, his part as apparent vampire motorcycle gang leader David cemented his leading man qualities and turned him into a household name.

Rami Malek (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part II)

Sure, Bohemian Rhapsody is one of the best Rami Malek movies to watch, but let’s not discount his turn as the powerful (and ancient) Egyptian vampire, Benjamin, in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part II, one of the few creatures of the night in the franchise who can directly manipulate things, with his specialty being controlling fire, water, air and earth.

Bryce Dallas Howard (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse)

Yet another actor you may have forgotten was fanged in the expansive Twilight franchise is Jurassic World star Bryce Dallas Howard. She took over the role of evil, vengeful vamp Victoria (who’s looking to kill Bella in retaliation for Edward killing her love, James) from Rachelle Lefevre, for the third movie, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

Tilda Swinton (Only Lovers Left Alive)

As one half of the very old vampire couple at the center of the 2013 dramedy, Only Lovers Left Alive, Tilda Swinton is a wife forced to visit the husband (played by Tom Hiddleston) she’s long been separated from once she realizes his lengthy undead existence has begun to bring him down, as she tries to force him to reevaluate the value of living forever.

Bill Nighy (Underworld, Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans)

Every good vampire needs a parental figure to show them the ropes, and for Underworld’s Selene, that role was filled by Viktor, who was portrayed by Love, Actually star Bill Nighy. His Vampire Elder turned out to be more of a threat than the heroine ever expected, though, leading to some tense moments between Selene and her mentor.

Gary Oldman (Bram Stoker's Dracula) 

Back to Drac! One of the most popular films about the character is still 1992’s Bram Stoker's Dracula, which saw eventual Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban star Gary Oldman play Vlad Dracula.

Christopher Meloni (True Blood)

Where there is one vampire there are generally enough to have a whole hierarchy among their brethren, and as with the series True Blood, sometimes we get to see what that could look like. In Season 5, Law & Order: SVU and Organized Crime star Christopher Meloni portrayed the Guardian, Roman Zimojic, who led the Vampire Authority and (ostensibly) set the rules for all vamps. Many, however, didn’t agree with his desire to have his kind fit in with human society, which caused a lot of problems for the calm, determined and deadly when challenged leader.

Nicolas Cage (Renfield)

If you guessed that this is yet another Dracula story, well, you’re sort of correct. 2023’s horror comedy, Renfield, stars Nicholas Hoult as the count’s titular long-time familiar, who’s tired of helping him kill innocent people and all the abuse he’s taken from the being who gifted him with immortality, as well as super strength and speed (when he eats bugs) 90 years prior. So, he gets help from a support group for people in codependent relationships in order to be able to live his own life again. Nicolas Cage is our Dracula here, and he’s a perfectly winking one, who still manages to be creepy and deadly.

Johnny Depp (Dark Shadows)

Johnny Depp has become known for his outrageous characters, and his Barnabas Collins is no different. The 2012 Dark Shadows film (which was based on the 1966-1971 gothic daytime drama of the same name) follows Barnabas after he’s cursed with vampirism in 1760, buried alive in a coffin, and then accidentally freed in the early 1970s. He rejoins the Collins family at the estate they still hold, while trying to keep his true nature a secret, but hijinks ensue as his past comes back to haunt them. 

This, of course, is just a small sampling of the famous actors who've portrayed vampires over the years, but if you decide to do a vamp movie/TV show marathon, you can start right here and have hours of entertainment.

There are already plenty of shows that were canceled or are ending in 2024, but presumably nobody involved with Law & Order: Organized Crime wants to be part of that particular group, least of all star and executive producer Christopher Meloni. The crime-drama spinoff wasn’t part of NBC’s batch of L&O and One Chicago renewals that were announced in early March, leading many fans to worry about Elliot Stabler’s return being cut short. But it turns out there are some potentially big reasons why we haven’t heard anything fully official about Season 5 before now.

As it turns out, prior rumors about Law & Order: Organized Crime’s possible move to Peacock were seemingly legit, and it looks like Meloni & Co. will indeed make the jump to streaming for the fifth season. So that’s the biggest reason why NBC itself hasn’t volunteered any updates about the on-the-bubble series’ fate.

A secondary reason for the network’s hesitance to move forward with new episodes is that its upcoming primetime schedule is already pretty booked. On top of all the series whose renewals have been confirmed — both Law & Order and SVU, the three Chicago dramas, and freshman series Found and The Irrational — NBC is also fully in on the new Zachary Quinto drama Dr. Wolf and the high-concept crime procedural The Hunting Party. Add on the pilots that are being developed, and there just aren’t enough time slots for everything to fit. And for one reason or another, NBC appears okay to replace Organized Crime.

So why hasn’t Peacock already come forward with a big announcement yet? According to THR, the company’s bosses are still in the process of nailing down all the details before going forward with the news. It sounds like the goal is for L&O: Organized Crime to get a ten-episode Season 5, which would be its second shortest outing to date, coming in three eps under the strike-delayed fourth season’s 13 installments, and two over the debut season’s eight-episode run.

The series has reportedly been a dependable winner for Peacock even amidst other Dick Wolf dramas, so it will be interesting to see if the delayed-viewing audiences make the transition to watching the eps as they debut on the streaming service. As well, whether this will be the move that gets on-the-fence fans to sign up for a Peacock subscription.

Will Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 be part of the 2024 TV schedule? We can only hope so, though it’s possible that production for the ten episodes will be expanded, pushing the new season back to a midseason debut. Not that all broadcast shows that make the jump to streaming suddenly double their budgets or anything.

Until we know more, new O.C. episodes will continue airing on NBC on Thursdays at 10:00 p.m. ET, and streaming the next day on Peacock.

Spoilers ahead for the January 30 episode of Night Court Season 2, called "Wrath of Comic-Con."

Night Court delved into fandom in the latest episode when the courtroom was overrun with Comic-Con cosplayers, and John Larroquette paid homage to his Star Trek III role by going full Klingon. A different character was thinking less of sci-fi and more of the star of Law & Order: Organized Crime. Gurgs dropped a joke about Christopher Meloni early in "Wrath of Comic-Con," and just kept building on it until the credits rolled and I was ready to start crossing my fingers for Meloni on Night Court in the 2024 TV schedule. 

Just Shoot Me's Wendie Malick reprised her role as Julianne from Season 1 (which you can revisit streaming with a Peacock Premium subscription), and Julianne definitely hadn't gotten over her grudge against Dan for prosecuting her back in the day. After Dan informed Wyatt that Julianne originally only stopped trying to ruin his life when she saw how sad it was, Gurgs had a pep talk for him that also happened to refer to Christopher Meloni's "greatest role," and... it's probably not what you think. She told Dan:

Elliot Stabler who? According to Gurgs, Meloni's greatest role isn't the one he originated on Law & Order: SVU before moving to Organized Crime, but as the star of Bailiff: The Musical. While that particular musical extravaganza doesn't actually exist in real life, I can't be the only one who wants Meloni to make an appearance to drop more details about it. It's Night Court canon, after all! 

Gurgs also wasn't done, as she defended Dan to Julianne by saying: 

Honestly, I love that not only did she double down on him as star of Bailiff: The Musical, but Gurgs referring to it as "one of Christopher Meloni's greatest Broadway triumphs" implies that it's one of many in the world of Night Court. And based on another comment from Gurgs, Meloni had a show-stopping song. She said:

Even if it's too much to hope for Meloni showing up on Night Court for a rendition of "Double Dangerous," it's too much fun to imagine the scenario that Gurgs was spinning in "Wrath of Comic-Con." Not least because Elliot Stabler – who is probably going to have plenty to say when he finds out about the affair within his task force on OC Season 4 – isn't exactly cracking jokes in every episode of the SVU spinoff! Gurgs had one more Meloni comment before the final credits rolled, telling Wyatt this about Comic-Con: 

While Organized Crime may not be a sitcom, Meloni showed off his comedy chops in non-Law & Order projects, ranging from Happy to Wet Hot American Summer. Why not add Night Court to his list of credits? He wouldn't even have to leave NBC. Besides, Night Court has been bringing fun guest stars on board ever since the revival premiered in 2023. 

Season 2 isn't even halfway done, and episodes have featured guests including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to ring in Christmas, Marsha Warfield reprising her original series role, and Paul Scheer for what he described as his "dream come true." The next episode is delivering a Big Bang Theory reunion for Melissa Rauch with Kunal Nayyar coming on board.

See more of Gurgs with new episodes of Night Court on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, and Christopher Meloni in his non-musical role as Stabler with Law & Order: Organized Crime on Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET.

The return of all three current Law & Order shows is worth celebrating for fans who have been waiting since May 2023 for new episodes, but the 2024 TV schedule will deliver a particularly special season for Law & Order: SVU. NBC's hit drama returns for its milestone 25th season, which will also take it to 550 episodes. NBC stars past and present came out to celebrate the accomplishment, and Christopher Meloni shared some photos of reunions with Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Dann Florek, and more.  

While Meloni is currently the star of Law & Order: Organized Crime – which returns for Season 4 with a brand new showrunner – he of course got his start in the franchise with twelve seasons as an SVU series regular. The longtime Elliot Stabler actor shared some reunions with former coworkers who go way back as well as newer additions to the SVU cast after he left as a regular, and I think fans can agree with his description of the reunion as "beautiful." Take a look:

Be still, my SVU heart! The slideshow from the 25th season celebration includes several pictures, including one of Christopher Meloni posing with Mariska Hargitay and Dann Florek, who of course play Olivia Benson and Donald Cragen. Not only are these three Law & Order actors on the list of the 25 franchise stars who have been in the most episodes, but they were at the heart of the earliest days of SVU. Hargitay and Meloni have appeared on each other's shows many times since he returned for Organized Crime, and Florek has guest-starred on SVU and OC in recent years as well. 

Other photos show those three with creator Dick Wolf as well, but it wouldn't have been right if we didn't get to see a picture with Ice-T as well. Ice-T has been on SVU for nearly as long as Mariska Hargitay, joining the cast in Season 2 and working alongside Meloni for eleven of his twelve seasons as Stabler before the OC spinoff. The actor/rapper, who had a hilarious reaction to getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, hasn't shared too many scenes with Meloni in recent years, but did debunk rumors that he was feuding with his former co-star. 

Meloni also included images with Stephanie March, who played Alex Cabot as SVU's first full-time ADA; Kelli Giddish, who joined SVU after Meloni's departure as Amanda Rollins; and Ainsley Seiger, who is a fellow series regular on Organized Crime as Jet and will soon be back in primetime alongside Meloni. Usually I have to use a Peacock Premium subscription and revisit old episodes to see these actors together, so I'm glad that the OC star shared these photos. 

I'm also very glad to see Law & Order: SVU already being celebrated, as 25 seasons is a pretty remarkable run on network television. Mariska Hargitay recently reflected on auditioning with Christopher Meloni all those years ago, and dropped some comments about how long she'll continue playing Olivia Benson that should reassure any anxious fans. 

You can look forward to all three shows in the L&O franchise returning sooner rather than later with the premieres on January 18. Law & Order returns at 8 p.m. ET for Season 23, SVU at 9 p.m. ET for Season 25, and Organized Crime at 10 p.m. ET, all on NBC. 

Law & Order: SVU’s 25th anniversary season is almost here. It’s hard to believe the procedural has been going strong since its 1999 pilot. What is also still going strong since 1999 is Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler. The fan-favorite characters, played by Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni, were partners for the first 12 seasons until Meloni left. When he returned to the franchise for his own spinoff, Organized Crime, it’s like nothing had changed. Bensler's relationship continues to grow, and now Hargitay is looking back at when she met her partner-in-crime.

Ahead of the NBC drama’s big milestone, Hargitay spoke to People for its cover story, where she spoke about her time on SVU. She and Meloni met while they were both auditioning for a then-new Law & Order spinoff centering on sex crimes. Hargitay had actually thought her future co-star was Homefront actor John Slattery. Yet despite the case of mistaken identity, the two immediately hit it off once they actually knew who the other was and didn’t want it to go any other way while doing the screen test:

Hargitay and Meloni are definitely magic, both together and individually. Law & Order: SVU may not have gotten as far as it has without either of them because they are Benson and Stabler. With their friendship in its 25th year, the duo is still as close as ever, and I still think about their adorable moments at the 2022 Emmys. It says a lot when co-stars aren’t just co-stars and are friends, even when the cameras stop rolling. That is definitely Hargitay and Meloni, and I can’t thank SVU enough. 

It's sweet to see how close the two of them are and how much they care for one another. That's on top of the fact that now, with Law & Order: Organized Crime, Bensler fans are being fed once again. However, it’s more the fact that Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni are working together again that makes it so special whenever their characters cross paths. For Hargitay, it seemed like fate:

With plenty more SVU and Organized Crime on the way as part of the 2024 TV schedule, fans will continue seeing both Benson and Stabler, whether they are together or not. As of now, Hargitay has no plans to step away from SVU any time soon, and there’s nothing indicating that OC will be coming to an end soon either. That means Hargitay and Meloni will continue their journeys in the franchise for the time being, and even once their respective shows come to an end, it’s likely their longtime friendship will continue far beyond the shows.

The Law & Order franchise will be returning in just a few days after a long wait due to the strikes, and the wait will definitely be worth it. With Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni, Sam Waterston and more returning, Thursday nights will once again belong to L&O. Even with the shortened seasons, hopefully there will still be a crossover or two because it’s been too long since we’ve gotten any Bensler scenes.