Ahead Of Law And Order: SVU’s Season 26 Premiere, Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson Received An Honor That I Need To See In Person

Ahead Of Law And Order: SVU's Season 26 Premiere, Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson Received An Honor That I Need To See In Person

As a gamer with a soft spot for both crime dramas and historical artifacts, I am absolutely thrilled about the upcoming exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum featuring Mariska Hargitay’s costume from Law & Order: SVU. Having grown up watching the series and admiring Olivia Benson’s unwavering dedication to justice, it’s surreal to see one of my favorite characters’ wardrobe immortalized in a museum.


In the upcoming TV lineup for 2024, Law & Order: SVU will air its Season 26. To mark the end of the summer break, Mariska Hargitay has been honored for her long-standing role as Detective Olivia Benson, who later became Captain. Having portrayed a law enforcement officer fighting for justice in horrendous crimes for a quarter century, it’s been announced that one of her costumes from the 25th season will be displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum. I can’t wait to personally check out this exhibit!

Mariska Hargitay showcased her outfit worn in the Season 25 episode titled “Third Man Syndrome” at a function for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Her attire included a jacket, jeans, shirt, belt, boots, earrings, and a gold badge – all characteristic of her character on SVU. Dick Wolf, the show’s creator, was present, and Hargitay beamed as she struck poses with the costume that will soon be on display in the museum.

Ahead Of Law And Order: SVU's Season 26 Premiere, Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson Received An Honor That I Need To See In Person

Mariska Hargitay isn’t wearing gloves because she didn’t handle the costume herself. The museum won’t let the actress touch the costume for preservation purposes, and it will be showcased in the “Forensic Science on Trial” exhibition along with an early version of a sexual assault examination kit, often called “rape kits,” from SVU.

The alignment of Mariska Hargitay’s costume in the same exhibition couldn’t be more appropriate, given that the actress has been actively involved with the Joyful Heart Foundation’s “End the Backlog” initiative. This campaign aims not just to test the backlog of untested rape kits but also to change how these kits are managed by law enforcement. As for the actress, Anthea Hartig, the Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, remarked that Mariska Hargitay, her role in “SVU,” and Olivia Benson have a significant impact.

Mariska Hargitay has made significant contributions to reducing the stigma surrounding women and sexual assault victims, both through her acting roles and in real-life advocacy efforts. Her character’s relentless pursuit of justice and personal dedication towards supporting survivors are traits worth emulating by everyone.

Being a enthusiast of both “Law & Order: SVU” and delving into the diverse exhibits of the Smithsonian Institution, I’m certain that I would be captivated by the “Forensic Science on Trial” display, which delves into the role of science in criminal trials throughout history. While this subject matter certainly transcends the scope of NBC’s popular crime drama, “SVU” deserves recognition for its part in shedding light on numerous issues that Mariska Hargitay has been able to make a difference with off-screen.

After spending 25 years playing Benson on SVU, Hargitay shared that the most significant aspect for her was having the opportunity each day to work on a show that helps people feel less isolated. NBC also made a big deal of the 25th season milestone by turning Rockefeller Plaza into Olivia Benson Plaza in New York City earlier this year.

Get ready to witness Mariska Hargitay reprise her role as Olivia Benson when Law & Order: SVU airs again on Thursday, October 3 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. This marks the beginning of Season 26 and it will be sandwiched between the 8 p.m. ET slot for Law & Order‘s Season 24 and Found‘s Season 2 at 10 p.m. ET. If you’d like to catch up on the previous 25 seasons, they are now streaming with a Peacock Premium subscription, a Hulu subscription, or both. And if you find yourself in Washington, D.C., don’t forget to check out the “Forensic Science on Trial” exhibit at the National Museum of American History!

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2024-09-11 09:07