In a recent chat with Entertainment Weekly, Mariska Hargitay poured her heart out about Christopher Meloni’s exit from Law and Order: SVU back in 2011. Her eyes welled up as she watched their final scene together, reminiscing on the heartbreak of bidding farewell to her on-screen partner.

Mariska couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret as she revisited the moment Christopher said his goodbyes alongside Ice-T. It hit her hard that she didn’t realize it would be his last appearance on the show. The sudden departure left her reeling, bringing an unexpected end to their 12-year bond that had been so close and special.

She and Ice-T shared their worries and doubts about how the show would fare without Christopher’s presence. Despite the uncertainty, Mariska found solace in the sense of normalcy during the filming of his final episode. The episode culminated in a poignant and perfectly executed scene that brought a sense of closure to their characters’ journey.

The departure of Elliot Stabler left fans crushed, but Christopher made a triumphant return in 2021 with the spin-off Organized Crime. The highly anticipated crossover in 2022 reunited him with Mariska’s Olivia Benson, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions and anticipation among viewers. The intense emotions and nail-biting suspense surrounding Christopher’s exit brought a layer of depth and drama to the beloved series, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.