Why Mariska Hargitay Was Absent for 6 Episodes of Law & Order: SVU Season 8

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Mariska Hargitay, who plays Olivia Benson in Law & Order: SVU, was absent for six episodes in Season 8 due to her maternity leave. During her pregnancy, Hargitay informed fans on her blog that she wouldn’t be in a few episodes as her character wouldn’t be made pregnant. The show explained her absence by having Benson go undercover and introducing a temporary replacement partner for Detective Stabler. Hargitay has now starred in 24 seasons of SVU and will return for a 25th season.