Eliot Stabler is a fictional character from the television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He is portrayed by actor Christopher Meloni and serves as a detective in the New York City Police Department. Stabler is known for his strong sense of justice and dedication to solving crimes, particularly those involving sexual offenses. Stabler first appeared in the series when it premiered in 1999 and became a central character for many seasons. His character is often depicted as passionate and sometimes impulsive, which leads to intense interactions with both victims and suspects. In 2021, Stabler returned in a spin-off series titled Law & Order: Organized Crime.