Mariska Hargitay Pays Tribute As Co-Star Leaves Law & Order: SVU

Considering the fact that Law & Order: SVU has been on for over two decades, fans have gotten used to the revolving door with the cast — as long as Mariska Hargitay, who has played Olivia Benson since the premiere, sticks around. But after last night’s Season 20 finale, entitled Endgame, she had to say goodbye to yet another co-star.

As those who watched the show know, Philip Winchester, who played Assistant District Attorney Peter Stone (son of mothership, Law & Order’s original ADA Ben Stone, played by Michael Moriarty), aired for the last time now that Peter has told Olivia he needs to leave his job after he crossed the line, framing a bad guy who had threatened her.

While the show seems to be able to retain most of its cops, they seem to go through ADAs pretty quickly — and it usually ends with them realizing the limits of the law just as they cross the line. It happened to Rafael Barba, Casey Novak, Alexandra Cabot — just to name a few. And now Peter Stone joins their ranks.

Hargitay paid tribute to the actor, whom she shared an extremely powerful last scene with as the finale came to a close. It was obvious Benson was stunned by what Stone had to say, as the audience may have been as well. She took to Twitter to share parting words with her former co-star.

“To share two seasons, to finish so strong in that scene with you, have been a thrill and a privilege @philipwinchestr. Thank you for the partnership, and your dedication to these stories. You are a gentleman and #SVUFamilyForever. #EndgameSVU”

While we knew Philip Winchester wasn’t returning for Season 21, there has been no word on who will be playing the new ADA next season. There are certainly many previous ADAs who could return to their former position or it could be a revolving door until the right fit happens.