Law & Order: SVU has captivated audiences with its intense and gripping episodes, but for Mariska Hargitay, one episode in particular left a profound impact on both her and her character, Olivia Benson.
The Episode That Changed Olivia Benson Forever
Hargitay’s Olivia Benson has faced countless harrowing scenarios throughout the series. However, none resonated as deeply as the season 15 premiere, “Surrender Benson.” This episode saw Benson at the mercy of a violent sexual offender, marking a significant turning point for the character. Former SVU showrunner Warren Leight intended this episode to be a dramatic shake-up for the series.
“The show has dealt with stories like this for a long time, but I felt like with season 15, I’ve got to do something to jolt the audience,” Leight told HuffPost. “I felt like this show could not get taken for granted and I needed to start the year off with a jolt. And also I thought, for Mariska, let me write the most challenging scenes I could write.”
Leight acknowledged the difficulty of not only writing these intense scenes but also the immense challenge Hargitay faced in performing them.
“It’s one thing to write these scenes, but I think the harder job obviously was acting them,” he said.
The episode proved to be a turning point for both Hargitay and Benson.
“In my mind, after this, her character can never be the same,” Leight added. “Studies show this, it changes your DNA. Watching her act it, it doesn’t look like her, it doesn’t sound like her at times. It changed [Mariska] just performing.”
The Blurred Line Between Acting and Reality
In an interview with Today, Hargitay delved deeper into her experience filming the intense episode, describing it as the most challenging of her career.
“It was, without a doubt, the most difficult episode I ever shot in 15 years, and it was unlike anything I’ve ever done,” she said. “I have to tell you, after 15 years, to be nervous and scared and excited to go to work — it’s a pretty great thing.”
The episode became even more personal as the line between reality and fiction began to blur.
“When you’re acting, your body doesn’t know the difference [between] acting or being in reality,” she explained. “I think you pretty much play the what-if game. It’s just about believing it. I think that’s why you study your whole life to be focused and be present.”
Hargitay’s work with the Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization supporting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, added another layer of authenticity to her performance.
“And for me, with the work that I do with Joyful Heart, I’ve had the opportunity and the pleasure to work side-by-side with so many real-life survivors that I know their stories. … The bar is set high to keep it real and have integrity about how scary that would be,” she said.
A Transformative Experience
Hargitay has expressed immense gratitude for how Law & Order: SVU has transformed her life. The series has given her a platform to connect with and support victims of domestic violence, elevating her role beyond that of an actress.
“This show has changed me. I started and I was an actor happy to have a job, and now I feel like I’m so grateful I’ve found something that moves me so deeply,” Hargitay shared. “I’m honored to be part of a movement that’s changing the way people think, ending ignorance, and changing the way people deal with these issues.”
Mariska Hargitay’s journey on Law & Order: SVU is a testament to her dedication and the powerful impact that storytelling can have on both the performer and the audience. Through Olivia Benson, Hargitay has not only delivered compelling performances but has also become a beacon of hope and strength for many.
