Olivia Benson is set to push her romantic affair with Captain Ed Tucker in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" season 18. In line with the show, shorunner Warren Leight also revealed that he will not be the one to helm the upcoming season.

Series actress herself Mariska Hargitay, who plays Benson in NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," broke the news that her character is set to have a continual affair with Tucker in season 18.

In her interview with E! News, Hargitay said that she felt like it was really lonely and alone for Benson, adding that Tucker's entrance had been such a game-changer for the former because he was as powerful as her character. Also, she described Tucker as masculine and strong that Benson could exhale because he was that, adding that the latter got to be a different color.

For the actress, to have somebody that energetically matched her character had been incredible, but also had somebody that understood because he was even more complicated and a leader more than her.

In other news, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" showrunner Leight shared his thoughts on leaving the show. In his interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Leight said that he had not wanted a cliffhanger for the finale, as it was not fair to the departing showrunner to take everybody to a cliff and then let the new team mop it up.

According to the series showrunner, he was keenly aware that some fans felt lack of closure in other departures on the show, so he had tried very hard, whether it had been Munch or Cragen or Amaro, to ensure that there was a real understanding of the arc in the show.

The release date of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" season 18 is yet to be revealed.