Law & Order: Organized Crime Canceled After 5 Seasons

“Some conclusion to Benson and Stabler,” the 65-year-old told People in November. “I think both characters, Stabler and Benson, should ride off into the sunset.”

However, Meloni acknowledged the pair’s complicated professional and personal histories make a happily ever after a little more difficult.

“For Benson and Stabler to get together, it’s hard! Hard,” he added of the idea of the pair having a “romantic relationship,” noting that there is an element of their friendship that makes things “sexy.” 

“How well they know each other in kind of an upspoken way,” he continued. “I think it’s the dept of their friendship. And you know, they’ve made these stabs with these attempts of making this thing another thing.” 

And while Benson and Stabler’s possible future together remains up in the air with Organized Crime‘s cancellation, Meloni and Hargitay’s real-life friendship remains stronger than ever.

“It’s a very unique feeling when we get together because it’s echoes and remembrances of what we once were,” he told People. “What we are now and no one else can bridge that gap or has that journey or has that connection.”

Keep reading to find out the fates of more of your favorite TV shows.