SVU was almost played by another actor! In the casting stage, Christopher Meloni had competition from THESE well-known names.

Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times Brandi Burgos, at a recent “SVU” fan event, shows off her tattoo — a line in a letter from Detective Stabler to Captain Benson. Hiroko Masuike/The New York ...

a different follower added. Although we don't know when (or if) Stabler will return to SVU later this season, he'll still be back in the Law and Order universe at some point.