As a fan, I can’t help but admire Mariska Hargitay‘s journey through her iconic role as Olivia Benson in Law & Order: SVU. Her dedication to the character and cause is truly inspiring. It’s fascinating how she has grown with the character, both on and off screen, and transformed from a frightened newcomer into a powerful and confident actress who knows her worth.
Mariska Hargitay, for nearly half her lifetime, has portrayed the cherished TV personality Olivia Benson. Although this role surpassed even her most ambitious aspirations, she confessed that it has had its challenges.
During an interview with Selena Gomez for ‘Interview’ magazine, the Emmy-winning star of ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ admitted that it has taken her time to learn how to detach herself from the show’s emotionally challenging scenes once she steps off set.
She shared with Gomez that when she began the program, she hadn’t anticipated how much it would resonate with her personally,” she said, revealing that wherever she travels with her husband and ex-co-star from SVU, Peter Hermann, he often remarks that her initial inquiry is always about the local crime statistics.
She shared that there have been instances where she wasn’t sure how to shield herself from harmful experiences, and she believes she experienced secondary trauma due to the constant exposure to these authentic stories. She explained that many of the show’s narratives were directly based on real-life events, making them hard to process given their sheer number. This is why she established Joyful Heart Foundation, as a way to take action and feel like she was contributing in some way.
Although it’s challenging due to their basis on real events, Hargitay finds satisfaction in this fact because it indicates the series serves as a reflection of society, underscoring “These are aspects of our collective existence. Here are some of the darkest actions humanity inflicts upon itself.
She shared that one of the most rewarding aspects of her job is the sense of community it’s created. Through it, women have gained valuable insights about DNA, hospital visits, reporting incidents, and post-assault care. This knowledge has significantly contributed to many people’s quest for justice as well as their healing process. In essence, it’s been a transformative journey.
Through her role in SVU, the actress has gained insights into sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse that she hadn’t anticipated. She confessed that prior to the show, she wasn’t well-versed in the “exceptionally serious” sex crimes it portrays, but she was struck by how forward-thinking the script seemed when she first read it.
During the initial season of the show, Dick Wolf received an accolade from Mount Sinai’s Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Program. On the evening he was honored, Hargitay shared that it was the night she discovered that approximately one in three women will experience assault throughout their lives, and one in six men as well.
Joyful Heart was the catalyst for me,” I shared, referring to this extraordinary organization. As their site explains, their goal is to revolutionize society’s approach towards sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse; provide aid in the healing process for survivors; and ultimately, eradicate these horrors altogether.
She went on to say, “It was then that I thought, ‘I must act,’ as the show was clearly addressing the issue, but when I discovered the statistics, I exclaimed, ‘Why isn’t this topic being widely discussed?’ If I wasn’t aware, I presumed others were unaware of the magnitude of violence against women as an epidemic.
Over the course of 22 years since SVU first aired in 1999, Mariska Hargitay’s character Benson has seen significant growth both on-screen and behind the scenes. On-screen, her character evolved from a detective to a sergeant, then a lieutenant, and ultimately to captain of Manhattan’s Special Victims’ Unit. Off-screen, Hargitay doesn’t just star in the show; she also plays a crucial role as an executive producer and has even directed several episodes.
Initially, when the show first aired, Hargitay felt overwhelmed and terrified in an atmosphere she perceived as dominated by men (patriarchal).
She stated that they established the rules in their realm, and we merely entered it. However, as Mariska and Olivia Benson developed and transformed over time, what she cherishes most is holding onto her identity rather than losing parts of herself. Instead, she reclaimed those aspects. Hence, she finds herself in a remarkable position, embodying a formidable figure. She understands her value, her power, and what she brings to the table, all while being content with her vulnerability and the childlike feelings that still linger within her. This is an incredibly serene state of being.
Law & Order: SVU season 26 premieres on Oct. 3 on NBC.
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2024-09-26 20:55