Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni wanted a Benson-Stabler “SVU” kiss but it was 'changed at the last minute'

The actress added that they "want to hold the tension" of the long-simmering "Law & Order" romance.

For fans of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, there's been a long-running question about Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson and Christopher Meloni's Elliot Stabler: Will they or won't they?

But if Hargitay had her way, they already would have.

In a new interview with Variety, the Emmy-winning actress revealed that smoldering ex-partners Benson and Stabler nearly kissed in a much-hyped season 24 episode of SVU, but the big moment was overruled at the 11th hour.

"To be honest with you, Chris and I thought it should go one way and the powers that be didn't, so it got changed at the last minute, that near kiss," Hartigay said. "Obviously Dick [Wolf, the show's creator] gets final say. It's his show and he didn't want that."

SVU reps declined to comment.

Now in its 25th season, SVU has kept Bensler shippers on their toes for the past quarter-century. Meloni departed the show after 12 seasons, but prior to his exit, Benson and Stabler forged a legendary partnership that took down countless criminals — and produced several emotionally charged moments. Meloni returned to the franchise to lead the spinoff series Law and Order: Organized Crime in 2021, and since then he and Hargitay have crossed over on each other's shows.

Many viewers thought their patience would be rewarded last year when an SVU promo for the episode "Blood Out" showed Benson holding Stabler's face and leaning in for a kiss — but when the episode finally arrived, there was no smooch in sight. Still, Hargitay hinted at a future for their relationship.

"We want to hold the tension," she told Variety. "And do what's right and truthful for both characters."

Fans aren't the only ones confounded by the slow burn of the Benson-Stabler relationship. Fellow SVU star Ice-T expressed his own shock during a recent Entertainment Weekly digital cover shoot.

"Y'all haven't hooked up yet at all?" an exasperated Ice-T asked Hargitay. "Did you kiss? Almost?"

"Yes," she confirmed. "Almost."

"Okay. But you didn't?" Ice-T quipped. "Season 26."

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• Mariska Hargitay and Ice-T reflect on 25 years of Law & Order: SVU

• Mariska Hargitay tears up rewatching Christopher Meloni's Law & Order:SVU exit: 'It brings me back'

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