Olivia Benson & Elliot Stabler Through The Years — Photos Of The Iconic ‘Law & Order’ Pair

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September 14, 2021 10:30AM EDT

Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler are one iconic duo. The ‘Law & Order’ stars are back onscreen together after a decade, and fans couldn’t be happier. See photos of Benson and Stabler through the years.

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Olivia Benson & Elliot Stabler — Photos Of The ‘Law & Order’ Pair

Olivia Benson & Elliot Stabler — Photos Of The ‘Law & Order’ Pair
©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collectio

When Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler first appeared on ‘Law & Order: SVU’ in 1999, our lives changed forever. The characters, played by Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni, became partners as they investigated all the heinous sex crimes in New York City. Over the years, their bond tightened. These partners would do anything for each other. They fought, they went head-to-head, they sacrificed, all in the name of protecting the other. Fans were shocked with Meloni left ‘SVU’ after season 12. Olivia continued on without Stabler, with ‘SVU’ now being the longest-running live-action show in history.

Meloni returned to the role of Elliot Stabler in a ‘Law & Order’ spinoff show ‘Organized Crime.’ This brought him back to New York and back into Olivia Benson’s life. Their relationship remains complicated, but those buried feelings are still there. See photos of Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler through the years in our gallery.

September 14, 2021, 9:59AM
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Benson & Stabler In Season 7

Benson & Stabler In Season 7
©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collectio

Benson and Stabler always made quite the team. When they worked together, they were unstoppable.

September 14, 2021, 9:59AM
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Benson & Stabler In Season 9

Benson & Stabler In Season 9
©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collectio

By season 9, Benson and Stabler had a solid partnership. They faced shocking crimes together in the name of justice.

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Benson & Stabler In Season 12

Benson & Stabler In Season 12
©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collectio

At the end of season 12, Stabler resigned from his job and left Benson behind. The news stunned Olivia and the entire unit.

September 14, 2021, 9:59AM
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Benson & Stabler In Season 22

Benson & Stabler In Season 22
Virginia Sherwood/NBC

Ten years after Stabler left New York, he returned. Benson and Stabler discussed how they left things and began to move forward. 

September 14, 2021, 9:59AM
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Benson & Stabler On ‘Organized Crime’

Benson & Stabler On ‘Organized Crime’
Eric Liebowitz/NBC

There is plenty of crossover now between ‘SVU’ and ‘Organized Crime.’ Olivia often comes over to help Elliot out. 

September 14, 2021, 9:59AM
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Stabler’s Letter To Benson

Stabler’s Letter To Benson
Virginia Sherwood/NBC

After a heart-to-heart that was decades in the making, Stabler gave Benson a letter he wrote to her. Fans have been wondering about the contents of the letter, which remain unknown.

September 14, 2021, 9:59AM