Mariska Hargitay is opening up about the first time she met her ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ co-star Christopher Meloni.

During the October 21 episode of Amy Poehler‘s podcast, Good Hang, Hargitay recalled auditioning for her iconic role of Olivia Benson. She said that she and Meloni, who plays Law & Order: SVU character, Elliot Stabler, met during the callback for the first season of Law & Order: SVU, which premiered in 1999.

“So our callback was three women, three men. And we got to the audition and we were to be paired up,” said Hargitay during the podcast interview.

 

She then shared that her agent told her that Mad Men star John Slattery was up for the role of Stabler. Hargitay explained that she had no idea what Slattery or Meloni looked like when she showed up to the callback. The actress said that she accidentally mistook Meloni for Slattery upon their first meeting.

“In walks Chris Maloney and I go, ‘Slattery!’ And he goes, ‘Meloni!’ And so minute one, that’s how it opened. That’s how it opened,” shared Hargitay while speaking to Poehler.

 

Hargitay clarified that she and Meloni had instant chemistry during their audition together. In addition, she said that she “knew” Meloni would end up getting the role of Stabler during their callback.

“The experience was pretty magical,” said Hargitay, who has appeared in all 27 seasons of Law & Order: SVU.

 

She also explained that she and Meloni have a similar “sense of humor,” “play,” and “risk.”

 

Meloni exited Law & Order: SVU following its 12th season. However, he returned to the NBC procedural in Season 22.

Christopher Meloni Discussed His Bond with Mariska Hargitay

Before Poehler conducted her interview with Hargitay, she briefly spoke to Meloni about their friendship during the October 21 Good Hang episode. In the podcast episode, Meloni said he and Hargitay are close because they “are constantly in search of great comedy.” He shared that he and Hargitay often do bits with each other when they’re not filming.

“I would also add that there’s something spiritual in it. And I think that’s in her nature. And you know perhaps it’s an aspect of mine that I recognize,” said the actor.

 

In a joint February 2021 interview with People magazine, Hargitay also shared she felt more trusting toward Meloni because of his now 30-year-long marriage to his wife, Doris Sherman Williams. She explained that Williams and Meloni welcomed her as if she were part of their family.

“It made me feel even safer with him,” said Hargitay, who is married to actor Peter Hermann.

 

In the People magazine interview, Hargitay referenced that she is the godmother to Williams and Meloni’s daughter, Sophia Meloni, 24.