Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson from 'Law & Order' Could Meet Again in the Show's Spin-Off

Christopher Meloni is returning to the "Law & Order" franchise as his character, Elliot Stabler, in the spin-off series, "Law & Order: Organized Crime," and he spoke about it, hinting at a reunion with Mariska Hargitay's character, Olivia Benson.

For twelve seasons of "Law & Order: SVU," Christopher Meloni's character, Elliot Stabler, starred alongside Mariska Hargitay's character, Olivia Benson, drawing admiration from many of the show's fans.

That remained the case until 2011, when Meloni left the series, with his character written off, though the season 13 premiere revealed Stabler was married with five children and had retired from the police force.

However, Meloni is set to return in the new spin-off, "Law & Order: Organized Crime," where he will once again play his character, Elliot Stabler, when the series premieres.

The actor spoke to the New York Post about his impending return, saying he was surprised when series creator Dick Wolf called him about the project. He said:

"I never thought this was going to happen, but the circumstances for me changed. So 'yes' became the correct answer."

Meloni also spoke about his departure from the series in 2011, saying it had nothing to do with the show producers. He added that he left with zero animosity and wanted to move forward and try new adventures.

His return to "Law & Order," though in a spin-off, opens up a possibility for his character to reunite with Olivia Benson, who is now a captain in SVU.

Stabler will become a member of a task force whose job is to eliminate organized crime.

It is a reunion that will gladden the hearts of many fans and speaking about it, Meloni said that he also expects the pair to meet in crossover episodes of the show.

According to the actor, Stabler and Benson are inextricably linked and have a connection that he believes will be worthwhile and dramatic to explore, especially with Stabler's surprise departure.

Speaking further, Meloni said he believes there will be possibilities for a reunion and that many people will be eager to see how both characters interact with each other and the changes in the dynamics of their relationship.

In the new spinoff, Stabler returns to the NYPD after going through a difficult time, which includes a personal loss, though Meloni did not hint at what the loss is.

On returning to the police department, Stabler did not join his old unit but will become a member of a task force whose job is to eliminate organized crime.

The new series will be made up of 13 episodes and was part of a massive new deal that Dick Wolf signed with Universal Television which also led to SVU, "Chicago PD," and "Chicago Fire" getting renewed for three seasons.