‘Law & Order’: Christopher Meloni says acting with Mariska Hargitay is ‘like a warm bath’
NEW YORK – Christopher Meloni uses an interesting metaphor when he describes sharing a screen with longtime “Law & Order” costar Mariska Hargitay.
“Like slipping into a warm bath; you know what you’re getting,” the actor, 64, tells USA TODAY. “There’s not going to be a problem. You get to focus on making the scene as honest and interesting as you possibly can. You don’t have to worry about personalities or having an offbeat difference of opinion.”
Hargitay’s Olivia Benson and Meloni’s Elliot Stabler reunite on “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” which moves from NBC to Peacock for its fifth season (new episodes Thursdays). Meloni, also an executive producer and writer on the show, says Benson’s return to “Organized Crime” is usually dictated by her “SVU” schedule. And yes, while the pairing is as comfortable as that warm bath for Meloni, they still practice their lines with each other before taping.
“It’s just nice to hear the music that they’re going to play,” Meloni remarks. “Do they see this as a jazz piece, or is this a little more formal and not quite so improvisational? You always need to know what piece they’re thinking of playing, what quality they’re going to give to it.”
