Law & Order: SVU has subjected its cast to challenging episodes, with Mariska Hargitay openly discussing how the show’s darker themes have impacted her. However, Kelli Giddish, in particular, has found certain episodes, especially those involving children, deeply disturbing.
When Giddish first joined SVU as Amanda Rollins, she was no stranger to the Law & Order universe, having previously guest-starred on SVU and Criminal Intent. But becoming a series regular exposed her to a new level of intense and emotionally taxing storylines.
“There was one episode we recently filmed that dealt with a child, and I couldn’t hold it together throughout,” Giddish shared with Stuff. “It hits closer to home when bad things happen to children. It’s concerning, but I try not to bring my work home with me.”
She humorously noted that her inability to multitask actually benefited her in this regard.
“I can’t do two things at once,” Giddish joked. “When I’m at work, I’m completely consumed by it. When I’m home, work doesn’t occupy my mind.”
Despite the emotional challenges, Giddish believes strongly in SVU’s mission to shed light on real-life atrocities.
“It’s important that SVU exposes these storylines because keeping them in the dark doesn’t help anyone,” she emphasized. “We’re raising awareness among our audience.”
Throughout the series, Amanda Rollins also grappled with personal demons, notably a gambling addiction that impacted her professional and personal life. Giddish embraced these complexities in her character.
“I enjoy playing someone who faces challenges,” she explained to Smashing. “If everything were easy, it would be boring. I’ve always told the writers, ‘If you need to throw someone under the bus, it better be me.’ I relish the journey from hitting rock bottom to overcoming obstacles.”
For Rollins, gambling served as a coping mechanism amid the intense nature of her work.
“It’s a release for her,” Giddish reflected. “Dealing with heavy material requires some kind of outlet, and gambling is that escape for her.”
Joining SVU amidst the aftermath of Chris Meloni’s departure, Giddish understood the fan dynamics but chose to focus on her craft rather than outside opinions.
“I trusted the writers and how they handled my introduction,” she told HuffPost. “While fans may miss Chris Meloni, I wasn’t trying to fill his shoes but rather contribute to the show in my own way.”
Giddish’s commitment to her role as Amanda Rollins continues to resonate, navigating both the harrowing cases and the personal struggles that define her character’s journey on Law & Order: SVU.
