Mariska Hargitay Says She ‘Burst Out in Tears’ over Christopher Meloni’s Law & Order: Organized Crime Cancellation
‘Law & Order: Organized Crime’ was canceled after five seasons on April 16
Mariska Hargitay is sharing her emotional reaction to Christopher Meloni “closing a chapter.”
The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star, 62, revealed that she “burst out in tears” when seeing Meloni’s reaction to his series, Law & Order: Organized Crime, coming to an end.
PEOPLE confirmed April 16 that the series would not be returning for a sixth season after the previous season concluded in June 2025.
“I saw it and burst out in tears, first of all,” Hargitay told Extra on Wednesday, April 22, of watching Meloni’s reaction. “I immediately burst out in tears because it has, just like he said, and he was so beautiful and open — because it has been a great ride. And it has been so beautiful and intimate and such a huge part of his life and was life-changing for him.”
She added, “It kind of took me by surprise because I knew and Chris is working and in demand and such a magnificent actor. But it’s, in a way, closing a chapter. So when that happens, one needs to take inventory. It’s a real marker in your life.”
Meloni, 65, reprised his Law & Order: Special Victims Unit character, Elliot Stabler, in Organized Crime in 2021 and appeared in 75 episodes. Per a synopsis, it found the character returning to New York “after a decade abroad to rebuild his life following a devastating personal loss.”
Responding to the series ending, Meloni appeared to hold back tears in an Instagram video of his own as he thanked fans for standing by his side. He first played Stabler on Law & Order: SVU in 1999.
“Hey everyone, I just saw that they announced OC, Organized Crime won’t be coming back,” Meloni said. “So I wanted to take this moment to say thank you to the fans, who not only helped give the character of Elliot Stabler life and longevity, but for sticking with him and welcoming him back.”
“Good ride,” he added. “It was a good ride, I had a great time playing him. It was a great ride, but thank you. You helped give me a career that I never dreamed of. Nearly 17 odd years.”
Law & Order fans shouldn’t necessarily write off a reunion between Stabler and Olivia Benson just yet. Elsewhere in her chat with Extra, Hargitay was asked if their characters will cross paths again on the small screen. “Somehow, some way, yes,” she said.
In a separate interview with Deadline at Wednesday’s NBCUniversal Emmy Kick-Off luncheon, Hargitay said “I hope so” when asked about a potential SVU return for her former costar.
“That is a very heartening thing for both of us, that our relationship was so iconic culturally, and that Benson and Stabler still resonates is deeply meaningful to me. And Chris and I, I’m sure you know, are very, very close.”
She added, “He’s a very in-demand actor, so we’ll see if the schedule is lined up.”