Real reason Mariska Hargitay is unable to quit Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Mariska Hargitay has long been the face of hit crime drama series Law & Order.

The actress, 60, has played the role of Detective Olivia Benson on the long-running show for 25 years and has no intention of quitting anytime yet. The claim will be music to the ears of the series’ loyal fans who continue to tune in to see her character chase down the bad guys on screen.

An insider has now claimed to know the real reason the star can’t hang up her fictional cuffs and insisted she “can’t let go”.


Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson and Ice-T as Detective Odafin ‘Fin’ Tutuola© Reach Publishing Services Limited

Speaking to Radar Online, a source said Mariska doesn’t have retirement in the forefront of her mind just yet. They told the publication: “Mariska refuses to retire and is prepared to take this show as far as it’ll go. She is Olivia Benson and Olivia Benson is her and she can’t let go.”

The source added Mariska is keen to lock down another 20 or 25 episodes for the upcoming series and claims the actress “dreads” the day production is shut down. However, they believe this is far from the minds of the producers and they can continue to work in unison to give the fans what they want.

It’s not just the on-screen connection that keeps Mariska so keen to continue, the source carried on. “Her kids, her wealth and stability, her Joyful Heart Foundation that she founded 20 years ago to help women in crisis are all rooted in SVU,” the source said.

Mariska married SVU co-star Peter Hermann after meeting the actor on set. They’ve since been married almost 30 years and share three kids together; August, 18, Amaya, 13, and Andrew, 12.

Recently on the set for Law & Order, a girl who was lost in the park sought out Mariska’s help, mistaking the actress for a real cop. In April, the little girl reportedly saw that Mariska was wearing a police badge and interrupted filming. Without missing a beat, the actress jumped into action in a bid to help the youngster.

A witness told PEOPLE at the time that Mariska brought production to a standstill for 20 minutes to help the girl, who had gotten separated from her mother. Within the half-hour there was a happy ending as the girl was reunited with her mom thanks to the star.