Chris Meloni back on 'Law & Order: SVU' Season 22 as Stabler, Bensler fans await Olivia Benson's reaction
If you are a 'Law & Order: SVU' fan, a beloved character's comeback will delight you. Christopher Meloni seems to have a double surprise up his sleeve for fans as he is all set to return as his character Detective Elliot Stabler in Season 22. Not just that, he will soon be seen in a new spin-off series too.
At a behind-the-scenes podcast, showrunner Warren Leight disclosed that the actor will be in the season opener. "It’s pretty clear that Elliot will be in the SVU season opener. I think that much I know," he said, adding that "whether we’ll get to see his family as well remains to be seen."
Meloni essayed the character for 12 seasons but he left the show after Season 13 due to contract disputes. After the actor's departure from the series, his character was shown to have suddenly quit the police force.
According to a Deadline report, he will also star in a spin-off show greenlit by NBC for 13 episodes. Headlined by Dick Wolf, the untitled project reportedly involves a massive new five-year, nine-figure, multi-platform deal signed with Universal Television and it also includes multiple series commitments. Wolf will executive produce the series along with Arthur W. Forney and Peter Jankowski for Wolf Entertainment and Universal TV.
Fans are overjoyed to hear the news and can't stop talking about his return. "My boyfriend's back," one excited fan posted, and another looked forward to the Olivia Benson (played by Mariska Hargitay) and Stabler's partnership, saying, "After 10 years we are finally gonna get new #bensler I am so happy rn #stableriscomingback."
One viewer even went on to say, "This has cured my depression #elliotstabler #daddy." Another couldn't believe the news and posted, "Proof that we must be living in an alternate reality! Christopher Meloni will be in an episode of @LawandOrderSVU1 Season 22!"
Some fans are wondering how will the character's return be shown and what will be the rest of the team's reaction. "I find intriguing how @SVUWriters will come up with HOW #CaptainOliviaBenson and the squad will react to #ElliotStabler #SquadUp@PeterScanavino @Mariska @KelliGiddish @FINALLEVEL @JGHyder @Chris_Meloni," one tweet read and another said, "Elliot Stabler will be in the 1°episode of season 22. I can't wait to watch it and see what happens!"
After leaving the show, the actor went on to star 'True Blood' Season 5 in 2012 and he was seen in 'Surviving Jack' in 2014.
