The “Law & Order” spinoff, which debuted in 2021, was canceled after five seasons.

Mariska Hargitay ‘burst out in tears’ over Christopher Meloni’s farewell to Law & Order: Organized Crime

The "Law & Order" spinoff, which debuted in 2021, was canceled after five seasons.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

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April 23, 2026 1:08 p.m. ET

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Mariska Hargitay; Christopher Meloni. Credit:

Dia Dipasupil/Getty; Amy Sussman/Getty

- Mariska Hargitay was emotional when she saw Christopher Meloni announcing *Law and Order: Organized Crime* was canceled.

- "He was so beautiful and open," Hargitay said of Meloni's Instagram video.

- The actors appeared on *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* together from 1999 until 2011.

Mariska Hargitay became emotional seeing Christopher Meloni announce the cancellation of *Law and Order: Organized Crime*.

Speaking with *Extra *in a video shared on Wednesday, Hargitay said she "burst out in tears" when she saw Meloni's emotional Instagram post, bidding the spin-off farewell. "He was so beautiful and open," she said, adding, "it has been a great ride. It has been so beautiful and intimate and such a huge part of his life. [It] was life-changing for him."

Hargitay added that the cancellation news took her by surprise. "Chris is working and in demand, and such a magnificent actor, but it's, in a way, closing a chapter. So when that happens, one needs to take inventory, right? And it's a real marker in your life."

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When asked if fans will see them together again, the actress smiled. "Somehow, someway, yes."

Hargitay and Meloni in Los Angeles last February.

Amanda Edwards/Getty

Days prior, Meloni shared an emotional clip announcing that *Law & Order: Organized Crime* was ending after five seasons. The show debuted in 2021, with Meloni reviving his fan-favorite character Elliot Stabler, who appeared on *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit** *from 1999 until 2011 alongside Hargitay's Olivia Benson.

The fifth season of *Law & Order: OC *premiered in April 2025 and the final episode came out that June, so the news comes almost a year after the final season — which featured an appearance by Hargitay as Benson — aired.

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“Hey everyone, I just saw that they announced *OC, Organized Crime* won’t be coming back,” Meloni began in an Instagram video last week. “So I wanted to take this moment to say thank you to the fans, who not only helped give the character of Elliot Stabler life and longevity, but for sticking with him and welcoming him back.”

"It was a good ride, I had a great time playing him. It was a great ride, but thank you. You helped give me a career that I never dreamed of. Nearly 17-odd years.”

Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson and Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler on 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' in 1999.

NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Meanwhile, *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit** *was renewed for a 28th season. Maybe we will see Stabler and Benson together again, after all.

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