Law And Order: SVU’s Mariska Hargitay Reveals Why It Was Challenging To Work With Christopher Meloni (And More) Early On: ‘We Have To Sacrifice’

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Over the extended run of the Law & Order series, numerous actors have joined and left, but only a handful have stayed for more than 20 years. Mariska Hargitay has been synonymous with Law & Order: SVU for over two and a half decades now, establishing a powerful legacy in the process. Earlier, she was honored by the Smithsonian National Museum, which exhibited one of Olivia Benson’s outfits. She has spoken about auditioning alongside Christopher Meloni before, and recently discussed how demanding it was to work with him and others during the early days of SVU.

In an interview with Today, Hargitay reminisced about the early days of SVU and her instant rapport with Meloni. Although they hit it off right away, being part of the series wasn’t a smooth ride from the start. Not only did she have to move from her hometown of Los Angeles to New York City, where the show is filmed, but she was also working alongside some television greats and joining an already adored franchise. As expected, she felt apprehensive about the experience.

Initially, taking on this project presented some challenges as I found myself working alongside a TV titan, Dick Wolf, and the formidable Chris Meloni. The show itself had an impressive history and unmatched credibility, adding to the complexity of the situation. Balancing everything was not easy, especially given that it seemed everyone else’s needs came first. Often, I felt we must compromise ourselves to fit into such a setting.

Indeed, SVU wasn’t Mariska Hargitay’s debut on TV; she had previously appeared in the short-lived sitcom Can’t Hurry Love and spent a brief period on ER. Working alongside heavyweights like Dick Wolf and Meloni was undeniably nerve-wracking. Yet, she didn’t let that deter her. Instead, Hargitay found herself learning and evolving as an actress amidst some of the most talented individuals in TV.

In essence, I am learning to develop and uphold who I truly am – my individuality, creativity, convictions, and intuition. Listening to that inner guidance is crucial in this journey.

Mariska Hargitay’s actions were successful because she is widely recognized as one of the best actors on network television and has held the longest-running role in the Law & Order franchise. Additionally, she maintains strong relationships with her co-stars Meloni and Wolf, who even have a Law & Order ringtone for her. Although it’s difficult to imagine now, Hargitay initially may have felt apprehensive about the show’s potential, but it’s evident that she understood the unique value of the series from the start. Over the course of 25 years, a transformation as significant as her own is hard to fathom.

In the year 2025, it appears that “Law & Order: SVU” will carry on with its 26th season according to current TV schedules, but a decision regarding Season 27 has not been made yet. However, given its popularity and longevity, I wouldn’t be shocked if this series reaches the significant 30th season.

I’m continually amazed by the strong bond Hargitay shares with Christopher Meloni, whether we’re working on an episode together or simply catching up and accidentally mentioning something related to SVU. Although a crossover between SVU and Organized Crime might be tricky now that the latter is exclusively available through Peacock subscription, I remain optimistic. Fans will just have to stay patient as we eagerly wait for another opportunity for Bensler to reunite on screen again.

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2025-01-28 18:07