When slightly woman can’t discover her mom in a pocket park in New York Metropolis, she inexplicably runs crying straight into the arms of Mariska Hargitay. Although Hargitay’s in the midst of capturing a scene from “Legislation & Order: Particular Victims Unit,” she doesn’t hesitate. She scoops up the kid and begins circling the playground on the lookout for the lacking mother.
She doesn’t cease to consider the solid and crew, all of whom are ready on the different finish of the park, hoping to complete the scene earlier than the daylight reappears from behind the clouds.
Hargitay isn’t NYPD Capt. Olivia Benson, however after portraying her for 25 years on the NBC procedural, their names, and a few of their qualities, are synonymous. Benson’s compassion radiates from Hargitay. It’s evident from the second we meet: Simply at some point on the set of “Legislation & Order: SVU,” and he or she’s requested me every part from after I knew I needed to be a author to what TV exhibits I grew up watching. She has no downside scolding me after I inform her I discovered my first New York condo on Craigslist.
“I believed you stated you watched ‘SVU’!” she exclaims.
Dick Wolf created Olivia Benson, however Hargitay made her an icon. Longtime viewers nonetheless method her when she walks to her automotive after a day of capturing wraps, telling her they’re Olivia’s largest followers.
“I really feel like I’ve completely different sorts of followers due to the subject material. They’re so loyal and protecting, it feels private,” says Hargitay. For the reason that begin of “SVU,” not solely have viewers informed her how a lot they love the present, however they’ve shared their very own trauma. “This present is such a unicorn,” she says.
Victoria Stevens for Selection
She doesn’t notice that this week, they’re capturing one other milestone episode: 550. Fortunately, she has a reminder at house of simply how far she’s come: When the sequence hit 500 episodes, her husband, actor Peter Hermann, painted the quantity on the lounge wall. She’s excited to search out the photograph of the mural on her iPhone. “It’s so muscular, highly effective and robust,” she says, zooming in on the massive purple numbers. “It’s stunning.”
Numbers are an enormous deal for Hargitay this 12 months. She’s celebrating 25 seasons of “SVU” and 20 years of marriage, and he or she turned 60 in January — “The brand new 25,” she says. “I actually really feel like I’m simply getting began.”
Earlier than she bought began as Benson, Hargitay wrapped up a 13-episode stint on “ER” and thought she’d bounce into comedy. Then she was despatched a pilot referred to as “Intercourse Crimes” that modified every part. “My supervisor goes, ‘Dick Wolf has a brand new present. It’s a derivative, however I don’t know if it’s going to be up your alley — it’s very darkish,’” she recollects, now sitting at a desk inside her trailer. “I learn it and I simply keep in mind going” — she lowers her voice to a whisper — “‘That is my present.’”
What got here subsequent is a well known story: She learn with Christopher Meloni, and their chemistry lit up the room.
“Mariska and Chris regarded like they’d been working collectively for 5 years,” Wolf says, including that Hargitay is why the present, produced by Common Tv and Wolf Leisure, nonetheless works at this time. “She’s America’s sexual-violence detective. She and Chris, as Benson and Stabler, reshaped the best way America thinks about intercourse crimes. Consequently, Mariska has changed into the one true feminine icon on broadcast tv.”
Nicely, the drama got here on the proper time, Hargitay says with much less bombast.
“The world and the tradition wanted an Olivia Benson, wanted someone to speak about these items and combat for survivors and consider victims,” she says. “The inception of the present was so genius that method, as a result of Olivia was the loving mom that all of us need and Stabler was the indignant, protecting father. It was this stunning, good assemble of what an injured soul wanted.”
In the meantime, Meloni and Hargitay bonded over their senses of humor. “We had been all concerning the work and laughing on the identical time — and preserving everybody comfortable,” she says of her pal of greater than 20 years.
Filming was seamless, particularly as a result of they may very well be sincere and say issues to one another like, “I do know you are able to do higher” or “Inform the fucking reality and cease your bullshit,” Hargitay remembers with a smile.
In 1999, the 12 months “SVU” started, Hargitay grew to become an advocate for girls typically and victims particularly. She even took a 40-hour course to turn into a rape disaster counselor. However she’s additionally been an advocate for herself as a girl on a set. Relating to negotiations, she credit her late father, actor Mickey Hargitay, for her confidence.
“My dad actually taught me quite a bit concerning the reality — he was by no means afraid of it. There was no well mannered bullshit in our home. It was very ‘The reality units you free,’” she says. “Dick can be a really straight shooter. He’s powerful as nails, however I’ve additionally discovered quite a bit from him.”
Mariska Hargitay flanked by Zsuzska Beswick and Caitlin Houlahan on the set of “Legislation & Order: SVU”
Zach Dilgard/NBC
Hargitay says she and Wolf have an “glorious relationship.” He’s inspired and supported her. There’s a “stunning, mutual respect” there. However he’s additionally strict.
“We’re extraordinarily shut, like household,” she says. “He and I’ve had some gnarly negotiations. And I don’t suppose he’s had that with anybody else. He’s stated issues to me which are nearly paternal over time, however powerful. After I say powerful love, I imply, powerful love. There’s no coddling.”
For instance, he threatened to fireplace her one time when she reduce her hair. He informed her that there’s no crying in TV. However during the last quarter century, she’s discovered when to push again and when to just accept that he did know greatest. “He’s nearly made me a warrior in a method,” she says. “He makes me stronger.”
Whereas it’s been “ugly at occasions,” she appears on the constructive. “I can do laborious issues now. I don’t know that I used to be at all times like that. I believe at first of the present, I needed to pretend a number of it. I used to be nonetheless studying it,” she says. “Now I match into these sneakers. It’s been a powerful journey. I’ve discovered to advocate for myself, mockingly, from Dick.”
Hargitay will not be afraid to share her feelings and encourages different girls to do the identical. “I believe I’ve at all times recognized my vulnerability is my superpower; it’s not one thing that makes me weak. I at all times attempt to share that with girls. I believe so many ladies are confused. They’re like, ‘Don’t cry in entrance of a person.’ I’m like, ‘Fuck that!’ I’ll cry in entrance of them, however I’ll additionally go kicking and screaming. It’s a part of us and it’s a part of the human situation.”
Hargitay turns into animated speaking concerning the energy of girls. “That form of integration has been essentially the most liberating as a result of I can cry and I is usually a badass and scare the fuck out of you,” she says. “We’re a pie; we have now all these completely different items. I’m many issues and I settle for that. So being all of it makes me really feel I’m extra compassionate with myself and due to this fact others.”
Whereas the set is now stuffed with girls — from the script supervisor to the unit manufacturing supervisor — that wasn’t at all times the case. There wasn’t a feminine govt producer till Season 13, when Julie Martin got here in. Her arrival was “a sport changer,” Hargitay says, and occurred on the good time — as Meloni was leaving on the finish of Season 12 due to a contract dispute.
For Hargitay, the loss was stunning and destabilizing. After which there was the truth that she was now, for the primary time, No. 1 on the decision sheet.
“She was rocked slightly bit,” says Martin. “Clearly, it was an enormous sea change. However she rapidly pivoted. It was an empowering journey for me to observe. It was actually spectacular.”
Whereas “every part was overseas” at first, Hargitay says, the brand new workforce finally discovered its footing. “I see it as the right feminist story,” she says. “I began off as this little detective with this very highly effective man, highly effective showrunners, co-star, alpha, alpha, alpha. That’s a really particular vitality to navigate — nice artists, super-talented individuals. I discovered a lot. After which it was time for change.”
The modifications didn’t cease. In Season 15, Hargitay directed for the primary time and have become an govt producer. “I stated, ‘Let’s identify what it’s that I do right here.’” Now she has a say within the huge choices.
However Wolf nonetheless has the ultimate name. Which signifies that Hargitay couldn’t cease him from writing Kelli Giddish off the present on the finish of Season 24, after she’d portrayed Det. Rollins for 12 years.
Kelli Giddish and Mariska Hargitay on “Legislation & Order: Particular Victims Unit.”
Zach Dilgard/NBC
“Kelli is my favourite actor to work with,” Hargitay says. “Kelli is my coronary heart. It’s a sore topic. I’ve a number of say on the present, however I didn’t have sufficient there.”
Hargitay says she fought to maintain Giddish and is making an attempt to get her again subsequent season. “I don’t like not being listened to, particularly after I’m proper,” she says. “That relationship was one of the crucial highly effective relationships in tv since you noticed these two badass girls, so flawed and so there for one another.”
In 2021, Meloni got here again to the present after being gone 10 years. His return in Season 22 of “SVU” was welcomed by viewers, as was the launch of his spinoff, “Organized Crime.” When Stabler’s spouse, Kathy, performed in 32 episodes by Isabel Gillies, was killed in his first episode again, it opened up the chance for a romance between Stabler and Benson.
Hargitay understands why the viewers was hopeful: “Our chemistry is simple. It’s simply the best way it’s,” she says.
Since Kathy’s loss of life, “SVU” has leaned into the will-they-won’t-they; a teaser confirmed Benson holding his face, simply inches away from kissing. However when the subsequent episode aired, there was no face holding and no kiss.
“To be sincere with you, Chris and I believed it ought to go a method and the powers that be didn’t, so it bought modified on the final minute, that close to kiss,” she says. “Clearly Dick will get closing say. It’s his present and he didn’t need that.”
Meloni hasn’t appeared on Season 25 of “SVU,” however Stabler and Benson’s story stays open-ended. “We wish to maintain the strain,” Hargitay says, “and do what’s proper and truthful for each characters.”
Whereas each “Legislation & Order” and “SVU” have been renewed, Meloni’s “Organized Crime” has not. If it doesn’t get picked up, may he return to his first house?
“I don’t see why that wouldn’t occur or couldn’t occur,” Hargitay teases. “I believe that we’re form of irrevocably locked.”
CHARITY SPOTLIGHT: Joyful Coronary heart Basis
In 1999, the 12 months that Mariska Hargitay landed the position of sex-crimes detective Olivia Benson on “Legislation & Order: SVU,” she discovered that one in three girls is a survivor of sexual abuse. These staggering statistics shocked her into turning into a rape disaster counselor.
“The coaching actually knowledgeable how I needed to play this character when it comes to understanding what survivors wanted,” Hargitay says. “I believe it knowledgeable my complete life.” 5 years later, on her honeymoon, she began the Joyful Coronary heart Basis.
Now, when younger girls ship Hargitay letters about their trauma, she is aware of the right way to assist — particularly if the ladies come ahead shortly after their assault. “I swing into motion. In case you catch it early sufficient and also you course of the right way to really feel about it so the disgrace isn’t built-in into your particular person, then we are able to say, ‘That is one thing that occurred that shouldn’t have. It doesn’t outline you.’”
The inspiration works not solely to help survivors of sexual assault, home violence and little one abuse but in addition to alter society’s response to them. “Individuals are beginning to concentrate to those numbers,” Hargitay says. “Individuals are going, ‘Oh, it’s not simply me.’”
All through the final 20 years, Hargitay has launched quite a few packages, together with the Finish the Backlog initiative, which has prioritized eliminating the backlog of rape kits that sit untested in police departments. Moreover, the Basis created the Heal the Healers grant initiative to help trauma professionals by means of micro-grants awarded to assist alleviate the consequences of vicarious trauma.
That is all due to Hargitay’s laborious work.
“Her many years of steadfast advocacy on behalf of survivors of sexual assault, home violence and little one abuse has actually modified how all of us speak about these crimes,” says govt director Robyn Mazur of Hargitay’s hands-on work with the inspiration for the previous 20 years. “Her ardour and encouragement has been the driving drive on the group, and on daily basis I stay up for seeing what we are able to accomplish subsequent.”
