Mariska Hargitay shares how many years it took to get to where she is now for ‘Law & Order: SVU’

Law & Order SVU star Mariska Hargitay was determined to refine her portrayal of Olivia Benson, striving to embody every facet of the character. It took time, but she eventually mastered not just the role, but the nuances of moving like a true detective.

Mastering Olivia Benson’s Walk

Hargitay has spent over two decades portraying Olivia Benson, the compassionate yet stern detective specializing in sexually traumatic crimes. Despite her lengthy tenure since 1999, Hargitay confessed it took years to perfect one key aspect: Olivia’s cop walk. This wasn’t a requirement, but for Hargitay, it was crucial to get it right.

“It took me years. I think it took me a few years to develop the cop muscles. I remember seeing Chris [Meloni] in the first few years, and he’d wear this long coat, and the way he’d walk the streets. Because he was from New York, he had such a good walk,” she shared on Inside the Actor’s Studio.

Hargitay didn’t want to detract from Meloni’s confident stride with her less practiced one. It required a lot of effort, but she eventually matched Meloni’s steps.

“And I would try to do some kind of, like, pimp walk. And it was not working at all,” Hargitay said. “But, eventually I got it. And I walk OK now.”

Real-Life Cop Instincts

Olivia Benson’s character has influenced Hargitay in real life. In a 2007 interview with Good Housekeeping, Hargitay discussed how playing Olivia prepared her for motherhood.

“It really prepared me for motherhood because, as a cop, you are in charge of any emergency and you need to stay calm, take control, and get the help and the attention you need to fix it. It’s the same thing with being a parent,” she said.

Olivia’s influence helped Hargitay remain composed in stressful situations. She recounted an incident in New York where she assisted a pregnant woman who had fainted. Hargitay’s instincts, honed by her role, kicked in immediately.

“I can go totally into cop mode,” she recalled. “I yelled, ‘Call 911; get her water.’ Then I started going through all of the questions with her that could answer what might be wrong with her. It was completely like an episode of the show.”

Imagining the End of Her SVU Journey

Hargitay has shown unwavering commitment to SVU since its inception. However, she did face a moment of doubt. In 2011, her co-star Chris Meloni left the show due to a dispute with the producers, leading to an abrupt end for his character Elliot Stabler. Hargitay struggled with his departure and contemplated leaving as well.

Ultimately, the show reignited her passion, solidifying her long-term dedication to Dick Wolf’s creation. Still, Hargitay knows her time on the show won’t last forever. She has thought about Olivia’s eventual exit.