Mariska Hargitay, the actress who portrays Detective Olivia Benson on the popular TV show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU), recently revealed that her character has been in love with Elliot Stabler, played by Christopher Meloni, for a long time. In an interview with People, Hargitay discussed the strong connection between Benson and Stabler and the undeniable chemistry they share onscreen.

Hargitay explained that the dynamic between Benson and Stabler has always been unique and special. The two characters have a deep bond and a profound understanding of each other, which has only grown stronger over the years. Hargitay believes that Benson’s feelings towards Stabler go beyond friendship and that her character has been in love with him for a significant period of time.

The actress described the love between Benson and Stabler as a “huge, deep, and profound” one. She noted that their relationship has always been complex and multi-layered, and fans have been rooting for them to become a couple for many years. Hargitay acknowledged that there is a strong romantic tension between the characters, which has left viewers longing for a romantic resolution.

Despite the intense connection between Benson and Stabler, their relationship has remained purely platonic throughout the show’s 22 seasons. Hargitay believes that this has created a strong sense of anticipation among the audience, as they continue to hope for a romantic storyline for the beloved characters.

Hargitay’s revelation about Benson’s feelings for Stabler is not entirely unexpected. Fans of the show have long speculated about a potential romantic relationship between the two characters. However, the departure of Christopher Meloni from SVU after the twelfth season meant that the possibility of a romantic storyline was put on hold.

The recent announcement that Meloni will be reprising his role as Stabler in a forthcoming spinoff series has reignited fans’ hopes for a romantic connection between the iconic characters. Hargitay expressed her excitement about working with Meloni again and hinted at the possibility of exploring a romantic storyline between Benson and Stabler in the future.

In conclusion, Mariska Hargitay’s recent remarks have confirmed that her character, Olivia Benson, has been in love with Elliot Stabler for a considerable amount of time. The deep and profound connection between the characters and the romantic tension they share has captivated fans for years. While their relationship has remained platonic on-screen, the anticipation for a potential romantic storyline has only grown stronger. With Meloni’s return to the Law & Order franchise, fans are hopeful for a resolution to the long-awaited love story between Benson and Stabler.