As if leading the Special Victims Unit weren’t enough, Mariska Hargitay also takes on the role of director. The Law & Order: SVU star recently directed the latest episode of the NBC hit, which aired on April 11, marking another milestone in her multi-faceted career. Hargitay’s talent extends beyond acting, as she has seamlessly pulled double—and even triple—duty as a star, director, and executive producer.
A Director’s Perspective
Hargitay first stepped behind the camera in Season 15 and has since directed nine episodes of the series. This week’s episode, titled “Children of Wolves,” is the latest addition to her directorial portfolio. Reflecting on her journey in 2019, she shared with USA Network, “Directing has been profound. It helped me understand all of the moving pieces. As an actor, you’re sort of focused on your role and what you need to do, and directing obviously is a huge zoom-out…It’s just made me a better storyteller in every way.”
A Look at Hargitay’s Directorial Episodes
Hargitay’s directorial debut came with Season 15, Episode 18: “Criminal Stories,” featuring Alec Baldwin as a meddling columnist. Since then, she has directed episodes that explore deep and complex narratives, contributing to the show’s rich storytelling. Here’s a quick rundown of the episodes Hargitay has directed, all available for streaming on Peacock:
- Season 15, Episode 18: “Criminal Stories”
- Alec Baldwin guest stars as a columnist who gains full access to Benson and the squad, ultimately influencing public opinion on a rape case.
- Season 16, Episode 12: “Padre Sandunguero”
- Detective Nick Amaro (Danny Pino) is in the spotlight as his abusive childhood is revealed, leading to a critical decision about testifying against his father.
- Season 17, Episode 12: “A Misunderstanding”
- A Romeo and Juliet-esque tale where the squad investigates a perplexing date rape case between two high school students.
- Season 17, Episode 19: “Sheltered Outcasts”
- Detective Carisi (Peter Scanavino) goes undercover in a men’s homeless shelter to investigate a series of rapes.
- Season 18, Episode 10: “Motherly Love”
- A teen boy’s shooting incident, initially seen as defending his mother, unfolds into a much more complicated story.
- Season 20, Episode 9: “Mea Culpa”
- ADA Peter Stone (Philip Winchester) turns to Benson for help when a woman from his past accuses him of rape.
- Season 21, Episode 11: “She Paints for Vengeance”
- Benson and the squad investigate a local celebrity after an artist’s posters and billboard highlight her ignored rape case.
- Season 24, Episode 15: “King of the Moon”
- A heartbreaking episode where Bradley Whitford and Nancy Travis guest star, exploring a man with dementia who confesses to a crime he didn’t commit.
“Children of Wolves” – The Latest Episode
The most recent episode directed by Hargitay, “Children of Wolves,” premiered on April 11. The eerie promo for this episode shows teen boys waiting in a park to attack unsuspecting victims. Captain Benson, on the phone, delivers the chilling line, “You’re an animal,” hinting at the intensity of the episode.
Continuing to Shine
Mariska Hargitay’s evolution from actress to director showcases her immense talent and dedication to her craft. Her ability to bring nuanced storytelling to life from both in front of and behind the camera has enriched the SVU series. Tune in to watch “Children of Wolves” and witness the latest chapter in Hargitay’s remarkable journey on Law & Order: SVU.
Catch the episode on April 11 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.
