Mariska Hargitay’s role as Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU has made her a household name and an iconic figure in television. However, the demands of the hit series have profoundly impacted her personal life, making the balance between career and family a continuous challenge.
The Demands of ‘Law & Order: SVU’
Joining Law & Order: SVU changed Hargitay’s life in numerous ways, offering her immense fulfillment but also requiring her to navigate a grueling work schedule. The series is known for its long hours, with 12-hour workdays being a norm. Additionally, Hargitay and her co-stars must memorize extensive scripts to maintain the show’s high performance standards.
This demanding routine is further complicated by Hargitay’s role as a mother. She shares three children with her husband, actor Peter Hermann, and balancing her professional and personal responsibilities is no easy feat.
“It’s hard. I’m not going to say it’s easy, it’s hard,” Hargitay admitted to Us Weekly. “I’m learning to [balance]. I try to be super present with where I am. I’m at work, I’m at work. When I’m with my kids, I’m with my kids.”
The Struggles of a Working Mother
Hargitay confessed that there are days when the pressure becomes overwhelming, leading her to question her ability to continue with Law & Order: SVU.
“There are days I go home and just cry. There have been days when I didn’t see my kids. Those are the days I’m, like, ‘Maybe I’m done.’ But now, this is a gift of doing something for 20 years. We’re such a well-oiled machine. I go in there and I’m like, ‘Guys, I’ve got a kids’ thing. I’m out.’ They’re like, ‘Got it, boom,’” she said.
To manage these challenges, Hargitay and her family have devised creative solutions to accommodate her hectic schedule. “I have an incredible support system with my husband. He’s an actor so he also understands. I try to keep it organic. The kids come to set all the time. I’ve worked out my schedule a bit that I have a little more flexibility. I have a great team behind me,” she shared.
Shielding Her Children from the Show
Law & Order: SVU often tackles serious and mature subject matter, making it unsuitable for young viewers. Hargitay and Hermann have decided to keep their children away from the show’s content. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Hermann humorously remarked, “Are you out of your mind? They get to read this [children’s book]. Why do you think I wrote it? ‘You can’t watch the shows, but here is a really funny book that you get to watch!’”
Hargitay also joked that her children wouldn’t be watching SVU until they were much older. “They’re not going to watch SVU until they’re, like, 40,” she quipped. Despite the fame surrounding their parents, Hargitay’s children appear uninterested in following in their acting footsteps. “There is a lot of stick, I’m not going to lie, in our house,” she said. “But, no. They’re funny, they’re super funny, but they are… no [acting].”
Navigating Fame and Family
Hargitay’s children understand that their mother plays a cop on TV, but the concept of her fame remains somewhat elusive to them. She recalled a moment when one of her children was puzzled by the public’s adoration. “He thinks I play a cop on TV, end of story,” Hargitay told People. “So he asked, ‘Why does everyone say I love you’ when we’re walking down the street?”
Mariska Hargitay’s journey on Law & Order: SVU showcases the intricate balance between a demanding career and a loving family life. Her dedication to both her role and her family continues to inspire many, reflecting her strength and resilience as both an actress and a mother.
