Mariska Hargitay opens up about Kelli Giddish’s impending exit from . The longest, non-animated, scripted series return on the small screen for its 24th season. The cast remains intact for its upcoming year spearheaded by series veterans Hargitay as Olivia Benson and Ice-T as Fin Tutuola as they pursue sexual predators in New York City.

season 24, however, will also be a bittersweet one for both those involved in the show and fans as it will also mark

in the series. The actress joined the police procedural in season 13 — on the heels of Chis Meloni’s departure as Elliot Stabler. The real reason for Giddish leaving the show remains unclear, but viewers of the series are unhappy about it, especially after news broke out that she was forced out of the series. 

Now, Hargitay breaks her silence over the matter in a new interview with . The actress makes it clear that she loves Giddish and that she will miss her after she leaves. Hargitay also points out the impact Rollins impacted

‘s storytelling, particularly in terms of Benson getting a loyal back-up. Read her full answer below: 

“Oh god, Kelli. I love Kelli, she’s my girl. She is one of my favourite actors that I’ve ever worked with and we got to build something really beautiful together and really earned together because our characters had quite a journey. It wasn’t so easy at the beginning and then we just fell into this beautiful safety, trust.