For more than 20 years, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” has been a staple of television, with Mariska Hargitay as its enduring heart. On Thursday, September 26, the NBC drama made TV history with the premiere of its 21st season. This milestone makes “Law & Order: SVU” the longest-running drama in TV history, surpassing the 20-season records of both “Gunsmoke” and the original “Law & Order.”
What would life be like without “Law & Order: SVU”? While it’s a scenario fans don’t have to worry about, we asked the cast to imagine it.
In a reflective video, Hargitay, alongside co-stars Kelli Giddish, Ice-T, Peter Scanavino, and executive producers Warren Leight and Julie Martin, contemplates life without the iconic show. Hargitay’s response is particularly heartfelt.
“Without ‘Law & Order: SVU,’ I wouldn’t have been awakened to the epidemic of sexual assault and domestic violence,” Hargitay says, tearing up. “I would not have started The Joyful Heart Foundation… I would not have made ‘I Am Evidence,’ I would not have met Peter Hermann. And my life would be very different.”
Click play on the video above to hear the rest of the cast’s answers.
The season 21 premiere brought significant changes for the beloved squad of elite detectives. Carisi, played by Peter Scanavino, transitioned from police work to become a counselor with the district attorney’s office. Meanwhile, Hargitay’s character, Benson, stepped into a new role as captain.
“Thematically, [season 21 is] a year about passages and changes,” executive producer Warren Leight explained ahead of the premiere. “I don’t think anybody at the start of the season will be in the same place at the end of the season. People’s titles will change, people’s roles in the squad room will change, people’s domestic life—turning 21 is a major passage in life, so it should be for the show as well. With any luck, the special victims unit will still be up and running by the end of the season, but people will go through a lot of personal and professional changes, I think.”
“Law & Order: SVU” continues to evolve, but one constant remains: Mariska Hargitay’s unwavering commitment to her role and the real-world issues it highlights. As the series marks its historic 21st season, fans can look forward to more compelling storytelling and character development, proving that “SVU” is not just a show but a cultural touchstone.