Warren Leight attributes the ongoing success of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit to Mariska Hargitay’s extraordinary dedication to her role and the show’s storytelling. As the series recently wrapped its 22nd season in New York, Leight, a longtime writer for the show, reflects on Hargitay’s pivotal role in its continued success.
Leight recalls the uncertain times when Christopher Meloni, who played Elliot Stabler, left the show. “Everyone doubted the show’s survival without the Elliot-Olivia partnership,” he says. “I thought, ‘I’m going to put the show on Mariska’s back because I believe she can carry it.’ And she did. We shifted the focus to her character’s evolution, and it worked beautifully.”
Leight is unequivocal about Hargitay’s irreplaceable role. “If Mariska were to leave, I wouldn’t try to navigate the show without her. Someone else could figure that out. I wouldn’t try,” he asserts.
Under Captain Olivia Benson’s guidance, the team—Detective Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish), Sergeant Odafin Tutuola (Ice-T), Assistant District Attorney Sonny Carisi Jr. (Peter Scanavino), and Officer Kat Tamin (Jamie Gray Hyder)—deals with cases involving society’s most vulnerable. The latest season has tackled real-world issues like the Covid-19 pandemic and the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, which ignited the Black Lives Matter movement.
“To write about these issues as they unfold is a privilege,” Leight explains. “SVU brings to light topics often hidden in the dark—assaults, power imbalances, abuses of power.” He recognizes that while the show has expanded its focus to include a broader range of victims and strives for greater inclusivity, the core issues of assault and abuse remain central.
Leight, a seasoned playwright, director, and executive producer, has a profound connection to the Law & Order franchise. Having worked on Criminal Intent and In Treatment, he returned to SVU as showrunner in its 13th season, left in 2016, and came back in 2019. As showrunner, he oversees every facet of the drama, from writing and casting to collaborating with directors to authentically capture New York City.
“I’ve been in New York forever, and I know all the actors and the scripts,” he says. “You walk them through every beat, every character backstory, and how to shoot it. I’m involved in every detail—from fake addresses that need to feel real to the choice of props. ‘What kind of car do you want to blow up, boss?’ That’s a typical conversation.”
Ultimately, Leight believes SVU resonates because it gives a voice to those silenced by trauma. “For many, the show provides a voice taken from them during an assault, or when a loved one was assaulted,” he notes. “I value the opportunity to write something cathartic, moving, or even change-provoking. That’s a privilege.”
