‘Law and Order: SVU’ update: Benson-Stabler reunion possible, Chris Meloni wants to return

There is still hope of a Benson-Stabler reunion in the near future. It is only unclear how it would happen, and if the former partners would work together as a team or against each other.

Chris Meloni has admitted that he is not closing doors for his possible return in one of the longest-running procedural dramas on American television. He said that if the circumstances are right, he might come back in the series finale.

"We will see [if I return for the series finale]. It has never been brought up to me, so that is the kind of question that's kind of out of my hands," he told Entertainment Tonight.

Meloni played the role of Det. Elliot Stabler, Olivia Benson’s (Mariska Hargitay) crime-fighting partner since the series kicked off in 1999. The actor announced in 2011 that he would not be returning to the show’s 13th season after he and the studio failed to reach an agreement over his new contract. When season 13 premiered, Capt. Cragen (Dann Florek) told Benson that her partner has abruptly resigned from the force. Stabler did not get a chance to say goodbye to his colleagues.

"SVU" showrunner Warren Leight previously hinted that a Stabler-Benson reunion is still possible. He said Hargitay and Meloni’s closeness might bring the actor back to Dick Wolf’s series and give the character a long overdue farewell.

Leight also admitted that he and the show’s writers have begun plotting a possible series finale in case season 17 is the show’s last. The plan includes bringing back former series regulars such as Richard Belzer (Munch), Danny Pino (Amaro) and Meloni. “SVU” has been renewed for another season.

Meloni admitted that he misses the fans. "It is lovely [to still see the fan support]. I always kind of felt it and knew it. I knew how important it was to people, how much it meant to people. 12 years with your partner in crime it is a long time."

Until NBC and the show’s bosses confirm Meloni’s return, fans will have to depend on the frequent off-cam reunions of Meloni and Hargitay for now. The most recent of such was during the 56th birthday of Meloni. The two also celebrated Valentine’s Day and shared their selfies on March 2014, March 2016 and December 2016.

"Law and Order: SVU” airs every Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET on NBC in the US. Australia fans can catch the series via Network Ten.