Nearly 8 million fans tuned intoChristopher Meloni’s return to theLaw & Orderfranchise last week — a turnout the actor said he was “not prepared” for.
Meloni, 60, has recently reprised his role as Elliot Stabler for his new spinoff,Organized Crime.He previously played Stabler onLaw & Order: Special Victims UnitalongsideMariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson for 12 seasons until his departure in 2011.
During a Wednesday press conference promoting the new show, Meloni recalled checking in with Hargitay, 57, after he made his return during theSVUandOrganized Crimecrossover eventlast Thursday.
“Mariska and I have talked, and the conversation went something basically like this: ‘Wow.’ ‘Congratulations.’ ‘Congratulations to you,'” he told PEOPLE ofhis former costar, who has continued playing Benson for all 22 seasons ofSVU.
Christopher Meloni as Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
“It was pretty overwhelming,” Meloni added of the positive fan reaction. “I think [Hargitay] was expecting it more than I was, because I think she’s been in theLaw and Orderstew, she’s been in that world continuously for the 20 years. I was not prepared. It’s overwhelming and it’s wonderful and it’s very appreciated.”
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“This time around, I think the pressure’s off,” he said. “I feel less pressure than I did when Dick first tasked me with being Elliot Stabler. So I’m a little freer to appreciate everything. It’s a nice journey.”
Mariska Hargitay and Christoper Meloni inLaw & Order: SVU.NBCU Photo Bank
Meloni also told reporters that when he leftSVU,he didn’t look back — and he rarely tuned into the show during his 10-yearLaw & Orderhiatus.
“My thinking was, ‘Time to go,'” he said of his departure. “So I went and I don’t tend to look back, so I didn’t. And, you know, my journey has been fantastic and very fulfilling.”
Law & Order: Organized Crimeairs Thursdays (10 p.m. ET) on NBC.
source: people.com
