Mariska Hargitay On Benson’s ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Future
Law & Order: SVU is returning for its impressive Season 26. Even more impressive is that one of the show’s original stars, Mariska Hargitay, is still the lead in the cast. She is the only person remaining from the first season, although Ice-T has been on almost as long, joining the show in Season 2.
In a recent interview, Hargitay talked about 25 seasons of playing Olivia Benson and when that might be coming to an end.
Mariska Hargitay Talks Long Career on Law & Order: SVU
Mariska Hargitay has been on Law & Order: SVU for a quarter of a century. With the 26th season coming and Olivia Benson still the lead character, many wonder when Hargitay might be ready to call it quits. She talked about that in a recent interview.
The good news is that Olivia Benson isn’t going anywhere. Hargitay said she still loves playing the character and is sticking around a little longer. “I’m obviously not done with SVU and I have so much responsibility there still, which is keeping me artistically challenged. It’s challenging. In the meantime, I also have had these incredible moments,” Hargitay said (via Us Weekly).
Hargitay, 60, said she is “happy and fulfilled with my life” and has no desire to leave the show yet. She said she would wait to see what comes, but for now, she is happy still playing the role.
This is great news for fans who are used to long-running shows losing main stars. SVU lost Olivia’s longtime partner in Stabler when Christopher Meloni left the series several years ago. He has since returned to the spinoff Organized Crime, and the two still expect to crossover in the future.
Ice-T Is Also Not Leaving Law & Order: SVU
While he has been on Law & Order: SVU one year less than Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T is also planning on sticking around. He even said that he feels that the show could become an even longer-running series than it already is.
Ice-T, who plays Odafin “Fin” Tutuola on the police procedural, said, “I think last season we caught a whole other wind of fans, and everybody got in it, and the ratings were great. I don’t see any reason why SVU can’t go 30 [seasons].”
Other returning cast members for Law & Order: SVU Season 26 include Peter Scanavino as ADA Dominick “Sonny” Carisi, Octavio Pisano as Detective Joe Velasco, and Aime Donna Kelly as Renee Curry. Kevin Kane (Terry Bruno) was upgraded to a regular cast member, and Juliana Aidén Martinez joined as a new detective.
Are you happy to know that Mariska Hargitay is sticking around Law & Order: SVU and Olivia Benson isn’t going anywhere? Let us know your thoughts in the comment below.
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