A Complete Timeline of Olivia Benson's Romantic Relationships

Fans have seen Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) date many men through the years on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit—to varying levels of success. 

She's now single and seems quite content, but who knows what the future holds? As we wait for Season 24 of SVU, let's look back at Olivia's relationship history. 

Brian Cassidy (Season 1, 14, 15)

Olivia's love life on SVU kicks off with a nonchalant one-night stand with one of her colleagues at the SVU, Detective Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters). The relationship continues until Brian leaves the precinct. 

That might have seemed like the last of Brian, but he returned to SVU in Season 14—dating Benson. However, their relationship hits a very rocky patch when Brian is accused of sexual assault. (It was later revealed that Brian was framed and cleared of all charges.)

In Season 15, Brian is the main one to support Olivia after her traumatizing kidnapping by a serial rapist. She and Brian ultimately move in together, but they break up after realizing they want different things in life. 

Nick Ganzner (Season 1)

After her first stint with Brian Cassidy, Olivia briefly dates a reporter, Nick Ganzer (Tom McCarthy). Nick was a short-lived fling, and for good reason. He could be pretty sadistic behind closed doors, which Olivia registers and runs. Even worse: Nick sneaks through Olivia's notes on an active case to develop a story, causing Olivia to pay the price with Cragen (Dann Florek). 

Andy Eckerson (Season 5)

In Season 5, Olivia has a mostly off-screen relationship with Federal Marshal Andy Eckerson (Craig Berko). Once Andy gets screen time, Olivia has already split up with him because of his questionable police tactics. They work together on a case, and the romance seems to linger, but Olivia turns him down when he pursues her again. 

Kurt Moss (Season 9)

Benson prefers to keep her love life hidden from the SVU, but halfway through Season 9, we learn she's in a relationship with journalist Kurt Moss (Bill Pullman). Like her other fling with a journalist, their connection is short-lived. The two dated for a few months, but their secret was shattered after the IA investigated one of Benson's cases. The situation gets complicated quickly, and she breaks up with Kurt by the end of the same episode we learned they were together.

David Haden (Season 13)

Olivia's Season 13 relationship was with Executive ADA David Haden (Harry Connick Jr.). SVU fans begin to see Olivia grow as a partner with David on many romantic levels. The two have several common goals and take it slow to create something that will last. However, their similar worlds work against them in the end when a conflict of interest forces them to break up.

Ed Tucker (Season 17,18)

In Season 17, Olivia begins seeing Internal Affairs Captain Ed Tucker (Robert John Burke). But their relationship crumbles after Ed suggests Olivia should retire at the same time as him. Predictably, Olivia isn't ready for that, knowing that being a cop is integral to her happiness, so they break up. (However, Olivia still cares for Ed very much.) 

Law & Order: SVU Season 24 returns to NBC this fall. Re-watch previous seasons on Peacock now.