Although Mariska Hargitay isn’t currently filming “Law & Order: SVU,” she delighted fans with a heartwarming reunion online. Enjoying some downtime before filming season 25 of the NBC series, Hargitay surprised her followers with a video on Instagram on July 7. In the clip, she revealed that she was having lunch with actor Andy Karl, who appeared throughout season 17 of the show. To make it even more special, she hinted at a surprise for her fans.
“Oh, sure, I’m on vacation,” Mariska said in the video. “But I do have a present for you. That’s right, because you know what I’m thinking about? You … and action!”
As she turned the camera towards Andy, he greeted the viewers and reminded them of his role on “Law & Order: SVU.” “Oh, hey! Hi everybody,” he said. “Andy Karl, Sergeant Mike Dodds.”
The unexpected reunion thrilled fans, who quickly took to the comments to express their excitement. One fan wrote, “I THINK I NEVER CRIED THAT BAD WITH DODD’S DEATH,” referencing the character’s emotional exit from the show. Another added, “[Sergeant] Dodds!! 😭😭 Still not over his character being killed. Forever love Andy Karl!!! ❤️❤️🥰🥰” A third fan commented, “Benson reuniting with ghosts? I wanna keep watching 👀”
Andy Karl’s character, Sergeant Mike Dodds, had a memorable and impactful storyline in season 17. In the season finale, Dodds was shot by C.O. Gary Munson (Brad Garrett) during a hostage crisis at the Manhattan Precinct. Tragically, Dodds later died after suffering a stroke that left him brain-dead, and he was taken off life support. His death profoundly affected Hargitay’s character, Captain Olivia Benson, influencing how she handled similar situations in the future.
Andy Karl also shared his excitement about the reunion, posting the same video snippet on Instagram. “Once the squad, always the squad,” he captioned. “Lunch with @therealmariskahargitay and family was a blast.”
This touching reunion between Hargitay and Karl brought back fond memories for fans and highlighted the enduring bonds formed on the set of “Law & Order: SVU.” As viewers eagerly anticipate the upcoming season, this delightful surprise served as a reminder of the show’s lasting impact and the strong connections between its cast members.
