See the cast of Law & Order: SVU and their real-life partners

We love Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, and can't wait for the show to make it's return to screens later this month. The police drama, which has been on screens since 1999, delves into the dark side of New York's criminal world and follows an elite force of officers who spend their days protecting the city from the most heinous of crimes.

MORE: Law & Order fans sent into overdrive as Sam Waterston teases 'surprise' return of major character

The series has made huge stars out of its cast members, but what do you know about their lives away from the cameras? Find out everything you need to know about their previous and current relationships here... 

WATCH: Benson and Stabler reunite in Law and Order: SVU and Organized Crime's crossover episode

Mariska Hargitay

Olivia Benson actress Mariska and her husband Peter Hermann have the sweetest love story!

MORE: All you need to know about Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay's family

The couple, who have been married since 2004, met on the set of Law and Order: SVU all the way back in 2001 when Peter, best known for his role on Younger, guest-starred on the police procedural drama. 

Keep clicking for more photos...!

Kelli Giddish 

Kelli Giddish, who joined the cast as Detective Amanda Rollins back in season 13, married businessman Lawrence Faulborn in 2015 in a private beach ceremony in Florida. Not long after, they welcomed their first child together, a son named Ludo and in 2018, they became a family of four with the addition of another son named Charlie.

Ice-T

Ice-T, real name Tracy Lauren Marrow, has been to his wife Coco Austin for nearly 20 years. The pair tied the knot in a Hollywood ceremony in 2002, not long after Ice-T made his debut as fan favourite Odafin "Fin" Tutuola on the police procedural. Together, they have a five-year-old daughter named Chanel.

MORE: The reason why this controversial Law & Order: SVU episode was pulled from screens will shock you

Ice-T also has a daughter whom he shares with his high school girlfriend and son with his ex Darlene Ortiz. 

Jamie Gray Hyder

Like her character who recently exited the series, Katriona 'Kat' Tamin, model and actress Jamie Gray Hyder has said she's attracted to both men and women while choosing not to label herself.  As she is very private about her personal life, it's not known whether she is currently dating anyone.

Peter Scanavino

Peter Scanavino, who plays Dominick 'Sonny' Carisi Jr, has been married to artist Lisha Bai since 2011. Lisha. The couple, who share three children, prefer to keep their relationship out of the spotlight, so not much is known about them.

Christopher Meloni

Christopher Meloni reprised his much-loved character, Detective Elliot Stabler in new spin-off series Law & Order: Organized Crime last year but still makes the occasional return to SVU. Interestingly, the actor met his wife Doris Sherman Meloni on the set of his first-ever television series over 30 years ago and she's been by his side ever since!

MORE: The real reason why Christopher Meloni left Law and Order SVU

They tied the knot in 1995 after six years of dating, and now have two children, daughter Sophia Eva Pietra Meloni, born in 2001, and son Dante Amadeo Meloni, born in 2004.

Octavio Pisano

Octavio Pisano recently joined the cast of the NBC drama as undercover officer Joe Velasco. Not much is known about the 35-year-old actor's life away from cameras as he likes to keep his personal life private.

Demore Barnes

Demore Barnes recently departed as Deputy Chief Christian Garland. The Canadian-born actor is believed to be married, although the identity of his wife remains a mystery to fans of the show as he has never publically shared details about his personal life.

MORE: Law & Order: SVU star opens up about terrifying injury she suffered on set

He did, however, share a sweet snap of her to Instagram back in 2018 to mark her birthday. "When your wife's milestone birthday and 10th Year Anniversary are only 48 hours apart... darling, those candles got nothing on you," he wrote, adding: "Thank you for illuminating my life."

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