Mariska Hargitay has been an integral part of Law & Order: SVU since its inception in 1999. Over the years, she has witnessed numerous changes, including the arrival and departure of many cast members. One of the key reasons Hargitay has stayed with the show for so long is its consistent quality and ability to bring something new and exciting each season.
“I’m in it for the long haul,” Hargitay once remarked to The Hollywood Reporter. “I said, ‘You keep writing like this, I’ll stay for 25 years.’ Why would I leave? I’m so grateful.”
At the time, Hargitay believed the series reached a new pinnacle in its 16th season. This season included compelling plotlines, such as her character Olivia Benson adopting a child. However, the intensity left Hargitay and the team exhausted, leading her to jokingly suggest they would ease up in the following season.
“The joke with [then-showrunner] Warren Leight and I was season 16 was good, and we said season 17, we’re going to phone it in,” Hargitay shared. “That was our schtick on set because we were so exhausted. And then season 17, we killed it. And then season 18… we had a wobbly year. But season 19, I was like, ‘I’m sorry, did anyone see the show?’ [New showrunner Michael] Chernuchin, every single episode, he outdoes himself.”
Mariska Hargitay and the 500th Episode Milestone
In 2021, SVU celebrated a significant milestone during its 23rd season: the airing of its 500th episode. This special episode saw the return of familiar faces like Danny Pino and revisited old cases that influenced the current storyline. Despite her long tenure on the show, Hargitay found herself too nervous to watch this landmark episode.
“They sent me the link so many times, and I was actually too nervous to watch it,” she confessed on Live with Kelly and Ryan. “Obviously I’ve been doing this show for so long, and Olivia Benson is in me, but I think that the idea of the 500th episode was so much pressure or something on me. And I was so nervous coming to work this day.”
While some episodes are less challenging, the 500th episode prompted Hargitay to reflect deeply on the show’s success and its impact.
“Some episodes aren’t quite as difficult, but for me, this was sort of like this moment to take in what we’ve made, what we’ve created,” she said.
The Future of Law & Order: SVU Lies with Mariska Hargitay
One showrunner believes that the decision to end SVU ultimately lies with Hargitay. Michael Chernuchin, who was familiar with the franchise from his time as a staff writer for the original Law & Order, was brought in to lead the series in 2017. He shared his thoughts on the potential conclusion of SVU.
“I don’t see any reason why this show will end,” Chernuchin told TV Guide. “[We’re going to continue] until Mariska says, ‘let’s end it,’ because we’re dealing with things that are on the front page in the papers every day. Now, more than ever.”
With Hargitay’s unwavering dedication and the show’s ability to tackle contemporary issues, Law & Order: SVU seems poised to continue its remarkable run for as long as its star remains passionate about the work.