“Law & Order: SVU ”Showrunner Michele Fazekas Gets Real About Benson and Stabler's Future (Exclusive)

Law & Order: SVU showrunner Michele Fazekas reflects on the enduring fan interest around a relationship between Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler

NEED TO KNOW

• Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni originated the characters when the NBC show premiered in 1999

• Fazekas would love to include Meloni in SVU storylines, but says his busy schedule often poses a challenge

Showrunner Michele Fazekas knows whatLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitfans want most.

When asked if there's a storyline she's still eager to explore, the showrunner thought of one original character in particular.

"Obviously, everyone's always asking me about Stabler, and I love[Christopher] Meloni. I would use him as much as he wants to. I tried to!" Fazekas tells PEOPLE.

Meloni portrayed Det. Elliot Stabler—famously, Olivia Benson's "partner for life" — from the show's premiere in 1999 until he left the series in 2011. He reprised his role in 2021 for the spinoff seriesLaw & Order: Organized Crime, which ran for five seasons on NBC and Peacock.

PEOPLE confirmed in April thatOCwould not be returning for a sixth season.

“I wanted to take this moment to say thank you to the fans, who not only helped give the character of Elliot Stabler life and longevity, but for sticking with him and welcoming him back,"Meloni said in an Instagram video shortly after the news broke.

“Good ride," he added, as his eyes appeared to well up. "It was a good ride, I had a great time playing him. It was a great ride, but thank you. You helped give me a career that I never dreamed of. Nearly 17 odd years.”

Beyond theLaw & Orderuniverse, Meloni is now set to star in new Hulu seriesThe LandfromThis Is Uscreator Dan Fogelman. The cast also includesMandy MooreandWilliam H. Macy, and shooting took place over the last year in Los Angeles.

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"[Meloni's] very, very busy. I tried to bring him into this. I'll just sometimes ask the question like, 'Hey, is he working?'" Fazekas says. "It's like, 'Oh yes, of course he's working.'"

For more than two decades,Meloni's Stabler andMariska Hargitay's Benson have been busting perps and fighting crime on NBC. They've also always hada lotof chemistry.

"Gosh. They know each other in an unspoken way, and I think it's the depth of their friendship. And they've madethese stabs or these attemptsat making this thing another thing..." Meloni previously told PEOPLE when asked about the "sexiest" part of the "EO" (Elliot and Olivia, as fans have dubbed them) relationship.

Fazekas says she's aware of the duo's storied history, and she wants to do it justice if she's able.

"I think that's a relationship that I really care about. I know the fans really care about [it]," says Fazekas, who also worked onSVUas a writer and co-executive producer from seasons 3 through 7. "So as much as I can, I would like to just acknowledge that and service that as much as he's available... which he's often not."

At the suggestion that she will have to just tell Meloni to clear his schedule when she needs him, Fazekas laughs.

"I know," she says. "Sorry!"

All episodes ofLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitcan be streamed on Peacock.

Read the original article onPeople

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May 25, 2026

“Law & Order: SVU ”Showrunner Michele Fazekas Gets Real About Benson and Stabler's Future (Exclusive)

Law & Order: SVU showrunner Michele Fazekas reflects on the enduring fan interest around a relationship between Olivia Benson and E...

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Dak Prescott and Sarah Jane Ramos Celebrate Daughter’s Birthday Together Nearly 3 Months After Ending Engagement

Ex-fiancés Dak Prescott and Sarah Jane Ramos came together to celebrate their younger daughter Aurora's 1st birthday, as seen in photos shared over the weekend

NEED TO KNOW

• On Saturday, May 23, the NFL quarterback and the wine specialist appeared in several pictures together, which they both shared on their Instagram pages

• Prescott and Ramos canceled their wedding on March 9, five weeks before it was set to happen in Italy

Dak PrescottandSarah Jane Ramoscelebrated a family milestone together nearly three months after theycalled off their engagement.

On Saturday, May 23, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback and his ex-fiancée took to their respective Instagram pages to document memories from their daughter Aurora's dinosaur-themed 1st birthday party. The photos show Prescott, 32, and Ramos, 32, smiling beside each other with their arms around Aurora and their older daughter, 2-year-old Margaret Jane.

Ramos posted one of the group photos on her Instagram Stories, writing in overlaying text, "Grateful for the best day celebrating her." Prescott reshared the snap to his own Stories, adding, "Happy 1st to this Special Girl! You are loved."

The wine specialist laterposted a full carousel of imagesfrom the memorable event, including more family photos with her ex.

"My A-Rawr-A! A little smile that can light up a whole city 💞. The happiest girl with the sweetest soul who loves on her sister and anyone in her presence so effortlessly," Ramos captioned her tribute to her younger child. "I love you more than I'll ever be able to put in words 🥹 Happy 1st Birthday, Rora girl. You changed my life forever and you'll always be mommy's baby 🙏❤️."

In honor of her daughter's birthday, the mom of two also uploaded a photo of her and Prescott in the hospital on the day Aurora was born. The NFL star smiled while Ramos held the infant, who could be seen under a breathing device attached to her face.

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"A year ago today we were battling to get you Earthside," Ramos recalled in the caption of her Instagram Stories post, adding, "My little fighter."

PEOPLE confirmed Prescott and Ramos broke up on March 9, five weeks before they were meant to marry in Italy. They were first linked in September 2023 andgot engagedin October 2024.

At the time of their split, a representative for Ramos told PEOPLE exclusively that the pair were "both heartbroken that they're not getting married." Despite previous reports to the contrary, the rep added, "There wasn't any rockiness in the lead up, and there was no big argument or blow up. It was a mutual decision."

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"They love their girls, and they're committed to raising their children together in the most loving and positive way," added Ramos' rep. "It's still shocking for them since this happened so recently, and they ask for privacy while they sort everything out.”

On April 16, theysettled on an informal temporary custody agreementfor their daughters outside of court.

Read the original article onPeople

byNeo

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May 25, 2026

Dak Prescott and Sarah Jane Ramos Celebrate Daughter’s Birthday Together Nearly 3 Months After Ending Engagement

Ex-fiancés Dak Prescott and Sarah Jane Ramos came together to celebrate their younger daughter Aurora's 1st birthday, as seen in ph...

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Details of US-Iran deal begin to emerge after Trump announces progress

CAIRO (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal with Iran onthe warin the Middle East, including opening the Strait of Hormuz, has been “largely negotiated” after calls with Israel and other allies in the region over the weekend.

India United States Rubio

But other officials counseled caution on Sunday, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio noting that “significant progress, although not final progress has been made” in the negotiations.

Rubio, on a four-day visit to India for meetings with Indian, Australian and Japanese officials, said he hoped that there would be good news in the coming hours.

The negotiations have succeeded in one of Trump’s main aims, Rubio said, “that is a world that no longer has to be in fear or worry about an Iranian nuclear weapon.”

Trump said on Saturday he had spoken with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain, and separately with Israel.

“Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly,” Trump said on social media, with no details.

The announcement capped a week in which the U.S. weighed a new round ofattacks on the Islamic Republicthat would break a fragile ceasefire.

Details of a deal begin to emerge

The potential deal will include Iran’s commitment that it won’t pursue a nuclear weapon, and Tehran agreed to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, according to two regional officials.

One official, with direct knowledge of the negotiations, said how Iran will give up its highly enriched uranium is a subject of further negotiations over the course of a 60-day period.

It’s highly likely that a part of the amount will be diluted, while the rest will be transferred to a third country, potentially Russia, he said.

Iran has 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium that is enriched up to 60% purity, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The Strait of Hormuz will be gradually open in parallel with the U.S. ending its blockade of Iran’s ports, said the official.

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The U.S. will also allow Iran to sell its oil through sanctions waivers, said the second official who has been briefed on the negotiations. Sanctions relief and release of Iran’s frozen funds will be negotiated during the 60-day time frame, he said.

Both officials said the draft deal includes an end of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as a commitment of not interfering in the domestic affairs of countries in the region. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss closed-door deliberations.

Twelve weeks have passed since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, killing top Iranian officialsincluding its supreme leaderand interrupting nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran for the second time in less than a year. Iran fired at Israel and at neighbors hosting U.S. forces, shaking Gulf nations that had considered themselves safe havens in a tough region.

A ceasefire has held since April 7. But Iran’s decision to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz for ships carrying regional oil, natural gas and other critical supplies has been a focal point of global concern and economic pain.

Israel concerned over Hezbollah

Israeli officials are concerned that Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group allied with Iran, remains a serious threat to Israel and that Lebanon is ill-equipped to disarm it.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Trump that Israel “maintains freedom of action against threats in all arenas, including Lebanon,” according to an official familiar with the conversation. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The official said Trump made it clear to Netanyahu that he will not sign any final agreement without the conditions that Iran dismantle its entire nuclear program and remove all enriched uranium from the country.

Israel’s Minister of Science and Technology Gila Gamliel, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party and part of his national security cabinet, told Israel's Army Radio on Sunday morning that Israel is taking a “wait-and-see” approach.

There is a fragile,U.S.-brokered ceasefirein the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon since April 17, a conflict that began two days after the Iran war started.

Despite the ceasefire, firing continues on both sides. Hezbollah launches daily drones and projectiles toward Israeli soldiers and northern Israel, and Israel strikes targets in Lebanon while its troops remain in large swaths of southern Lebanon.

More than 3,000 peoplehave been killed in the latest round of fighting, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Additionally, 22 Israeli soldiers and a defense contractor have been killed in or near southern Lebanon, and two civilians have been killed in northern Israel, mostly from Hezbollah drones, according to Netanyahu’s office.

Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.

byNeo

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May 24, 2026

Details of US-Iran deal begin to emerge after Trump announces progress

CAIRO (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal with Iran onthe warin the Middle East, including opening the Strait of Hormuz, has...

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Dolph Lundgren Talks ‘Passing the Sword Over’ to Nicholas Galitzine Nearly 40 Years After Originating He-Man (Exclusive)

Dolph Lundgren attended the Masters of the Universe premiere and reflected on passing the role of He-Man to Nicholas Galitzine

NEED TO KNOW

• Lundgren played He-Man in the 1987 live-action film Masters of the Universe

• Now, nearly 40 years later, Galitzine is stepping into the superhero's shoes for the 2026 remake of the same name

Dolph Lundgrenknows when it's time to put down the sword.

TheRocky IVactor caught up with PEOPLE at theMasters of the Universepremiere in Los Angeles on May 18, sharing what it meant for him tosee a new iteration of He-Mancome to life.

Lundgren, 68, says that “passing the sword over” toNicholas Galitzinewas a “great feeling for me.”

“It's great that he's such a great He-Man, and I think it's a great production, and I was really honored to be part of it," the actor says. "It was fun for me to show up in a movie and give him some advice when he needs it the most."

The muscle-bound hero first debuted as a Mattel action figure in 1982 and quickly became a pop culture craze due to the 1983 animated seriesHe-Man and the Masters of the Universe.Over the years, it has inspired multiple TV adaptations, comics and films.

Now, Galitzine, 31, takes over from Lundgren, who last played the superhero in a live-action 1987 film of the same name, which also starred Frank Langella, Meg Foster, Courteney Cox and Chelsea Field.

Lundgren says it's amazing "to realize that there's still something special about this franchise."

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"There's something about what they created back in 1983, I think it was, the series came out, the little cartoon came out and the toys, and there's something about it that people respond to,” he says.

Lundgren has a cameo role in the new film, but rather than returning to Eternia, he portrays an Earth-bound character. The 2026 film also features Camila Mendes, Jared Leto, Alison Brie and Idris Elba, to name a few.

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In February of this year, Galitzine shared an Instagram post holding a He-Man action figure that was modeled after him.

"As [a] kid, I played with action figures a lot, and for hours every day I'd conjure up storylines in my head. I kinda think those moments were what birthed my sense of creativity," hewrote.

Sharing photos of himself holding the action figure, Galitzine continued, "Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I'd be staring at my own face on one of those figurines, but today's the day. Thank you @mattel and @mastersmovie for making my childhood dream come true."

Masters of the Universeis in theaters June 5.

Read the original article onPeople

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May 24, 2026

Dolph Lundgren Talks ‘Passing the Sword Over’ to Nicholas Galitzine Nearly 40 Years After Originating He-Man (Exclusive)

Dolph Lundgren attended the Masters of the Universe premiere and reflected on passing the role of He-Man to Nicholas Galitzine N...

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