Mariska Hargitay On Being Devastated When Chris Meloni Left 'Law & Order: SVU' | PEOPLE

For the first 12 seasons of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni were the face of the popular crime drama as detectives Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler. So when Meloni abruptly left the show in 2011 after contract negotiations fell apart, Hargitay says she was "devastated." "I was just so sad, because we started this thing and built it together," she tells PEOPLE in this week's cover story. "And we went through so many milestones and spent so much time together and understood so many things that nobody else could understand." Subscribe to People ►► http://bit.ly/SubscribetoPeople #LawAndOrderSVU #MariskaHargitay #ChrisMeloni #PEOPLE Catch up on the latest celebrity news, top stories and more: /watch/AqG4cBrRovqzxWvYFuPLywxcap75B8SzLP=tsil&sM8LqfUfQw6f4 PEOPLE goes behind-the-scenes with our cover stars for exclusive stories and in-depth interviews: /watch/UsYNKy676WUruo-C1X5VRyxcap75B8SzLP=tsil&Uv107X_lKQOlN PEOPLE goes in-depth with your favorite stars and celebrities to bring you exclusive stories and features: /watch/SUXt5wKyds-38mWRiaaqExxcap75B8SzLP=tsil&s1osC-u8H9_8t Go inside the homes of your favorite celebrities with exclusive house tours: /watch/8zgPOi6tZbW_n77s3wLH6zxcap75B8SzLP=tsil&ATzAxuo1e7i1P Get exclusive access into the biggest celebrity weddings. From the dresses and rings to dances and surprises, PEOPLE covers it all: /watch/ePoL7bJFHQQ27f8snUPn5yxcap75B8SzLP=tsil&YpETsG4c_m3cL Watch as your favorite couples reveal the secrets to love and happiness in celebrity love stories: /watch/aKz_wuSS3KPEjxY9ZbM1Tzxcap75B8SzLP=tsil&QW0GhQofT1rf_ Stay up to date with The Royal Family: /watch/4x3Q0GD4E1kXbDmTvemT9wxcap75B8SzLP=tsil&ECVYLCISmABSQ Watch kids interview your favorite celebrities with the most adorable questions you'll ever hear: /watch/ZqA1oaHSY9uKRotIkjuWjwxcap75B8SzLP=tsil&E1ECdRefb4Nf1 ABOUT PEOPLE PEOPLE remains the trusted authority at the center of pop culture. The PEOPLE brand features a unique mix of breaking entertainment news, exclusive photos, video, unparalleled access to the red carpet, celebrities, and in-depth reporting on the most compelling newsmakers of our time. CONNECT WITH PEOPLE Web: https://people.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/people Facebook: http://facebook.com/peoplemag Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/people/ Mariska Hargitay Opens Up On Being ‘Devastated’ When Chris Meloni 'Left Law & Order: SVU' | PEOPLE /user/people

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