Law & Order and Chicago P.D., crossovers aren’t exactly rare. Fans have seen Olivia Benson and Hank Voight team up to take down dangerous criminals, share tough decisions, and navigate moral gray zones. But behind the scenes, there was almost a surprising twist that never made it to screen—a romance between the two commanding officers.
That’s right: Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) were, at one point, almost written into a romantic storyline.
According to insiders and past interviews with the show’s creative team, discussions about exploring a deeper emotional connection between the two powerhouses happened during one of their early crossovers. The idea came from the unique chemistry both characters shared—both fiercely protective of their teams, deeply scarred by personal loss, and known for making tough, often controversial decisions in the name of justice.
“There was definitely something unspoken between Voight and Benson,” one former writer revealed. “They understood each other in a way no one else did. It was a bond rooted in shared trauma, trust, and mutual respect. And for a moment, we wondered… what if it turned into something more?”
Fans of both series noticed the sparks, especially during their joint investigations in crossover events like Chicago P.D.’s appearances on SVU. But despite the emotional tension and subtle moments of connection, the idea of romance was eventually shelved.
First, both characters already had complex emotional arcs. Benson was still navigating motherhood and unresolved feelings for past partners, while Voight remained emotionally guarded after the devastating losses of his wife and son. Second, the showrunners ultimately felt that their bond was more powerful as a mutual respect between equals from different cities, standing firm in their missions.
Still, the “what if” remains. Fans continue to speculate about what a romantic storyline could have looked like—a raw, complicated relationship between two of TV’s most emotionally layered crimefighters.
“I would’ve watched that show religiously,” one fan commented on Reddit. “Voight and Benson have such intensity—it could’ve been explosive in all the best ways.”
In the end, the decision to keep their relationship platonic may have preserved what makes their interactions so captivating: a sense of untapped depth, a silent understanding, and an unbreakable alliance across city lines.
So while Benson and Voight never became an on-screen couple, they remain one of the most powerful cross-show duos in the entire Law & Order and One Chicago universe—a romance that almost was, but a bond that still resonates.
