Mariska Hargitay Reflects on Kelli Giddish’s Departure from Law & Order: SVU
Law & Order: SVU welcomed Kelli Giddish as a full-time cast member in its thirteenth season. Giddish, who played Amanda Rollins, remained with the show for over a decade, leaving in 2022. Her departure was particularly emotional for Mariska Hargitay, who had developed a close bond with Giddish over the years.
A Unique Partnership
Throughout her tenure on SVU, Hargitay witnessed many cast members come and go. She even outlasted the original lead, Chris Meloni, who returned to the franchise after a decade-long hiatus with Organized Crime. Giddish’s exit was another significant goodbye for Hargitay. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Hargitay shared what Giddish meant to her.
“Oh god, Kelli. I love Kelli, she’s my girl. She is one of my favorite actors that I’ve ever worked with, and we got to build something really beautiful together. We really earned it because our characters had quite a journey. It wasn’t easy at the beginning, but then we fell into this beautiful safety and trust,” Hargitay said.
She noted that Giddish’s character, Amanda Rollins, brought a different dynamic compared to her past partners.
“That was a hard one. I will miss that because she was my go-to, my right hand, the woman that I could talk to,” Hargitay continued. “Olivia Benson’s out there taking care of everyone else, and she was somebody that really took care of me and had my back. Even though Fin has my back and Stabler has my back, it’s different to have a woman have your back because it’s a different perspective.”
Giddish’s Thoughts on Her Departure
Giddish remained somewhat vague about her reasons for leaving SVU. In an interview with Variety, she explained that it felt like the right time for her character’s storyline to end.
“My side of things is just that it’s time in the Rollins storyline. I felt like where it was heading, and where it headed last night, just seemed the right place to leave it right now,” Giddish said. “I am so excited about things going on in my personal life and kind of the mirroring of what’s going on in my personal life and in Rollins’, there’s a lot of joy to be experienced.”
She also reflected on the longevity of her role and the diverse experiences it provided.
“I started playing her in my late 20s, so I’ve played her in three decades of my life, which is nuts,” Giddish said. “It’s insane. This is a show unlike any other. Shows don’t last 12 years, much less getting to play a character. With playing someone as multi-faceted as Rollins, I got to play all kinds of different things — down and out, on top, joyful, doubtful, scared, triumphant. I got to do the gambit.”
A Fitting Farewell
Given their close relationship, it was fitting that Giddish’s final scene was with Hargitay. Giddish described the experience as both emotional and enjoyable.
“We had a ton of fun because acting with my girl is just fun. There’s so much trust there, and you can play because we know each other so well. Nothing is set in stone, and if you want to try something, the writers are right there because they trust Mariska and I to kind of fine-tune the words of the script. It’s so much fun, there’s so much laughter and there were so many tears. It was a really beautiful experience,” she said.
Giddish’s Return to SVU
Fans won’t have to wait long to see Giddish back on SVU. It’s been confirmed that she will return in the eleventh episode of the show’s upcoming 25th season. Hargitay shared the exciting news with fans on social media, celebrating Giddish’s return to the beloved series.
Mariska Hargitay and Kelli Giddish’s journey together on SVU has been marked by deep trust and camaraderie, both on and off-screen. Giddish’s departure was a poignant moment for the cast and fans alike, but her return promises to bring back the cherished dynamic that has captivated audiences for over a decade.