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Mariska Hargitay on the “Law & Order: SVU” set in Midtown Manhattan on August 5, 2024
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Since 1999, Mariska Hargitay has played the role of detective Olivia Benson in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” known to the public as “SVU.”
For the millions of viewers who have watched police procedurals over the past quarter century, it’s… opening storywhich lays out the show’s premise has proven indelible: “In the criminal justice system, sexually based crimes are considered particularly heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these brutal crimes are members of an elite team known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories.”
Through a rotating cast of recurring characters and guest actors, Hargitay’s Benson has always been the heart of the show’s detective unit.
At one ceremony on September 9, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History accepted one of Benson’s outfits into his collections. Hargitay wore the shirt, jeans, boots, earrings, belt, blazer and gold detective shield during the March 2024 episode.Third Man Syndrome”, in which her character, now Captain Benson, helps an agoraphobic witness.
Mariska Hargitay stands with her donated costume from “Law & Order: SVU.” National Museum of American History
‘Law & Order: SVU’, enters his 26th season in Octoberis currently the longest-running prime-time live-action series on American television. Hargitay’s Benson is also the longest-running drama character on prime-time television. In 2006, she became the first series regular on a ‘Law & Order’ show win an Emmywhich earned her the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She founded the foundation in 2004 Happy Heart Foundation to support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse.
During the costume donation ceremony, both Hargitay and “Law & Order: SVU” creator and executive producer Dick Wolf spoke about the show’s place in American pop culture history.
The show has been around for a long time and has received many accolades, “but nothing tops this,” Wolf said, “the first time I felt the show has cultural longevity.”
Hargitay talked about how honored she was to play her character, be on the show and support survivors through her foundation.
“It is my deep hope that what is captured here with this donation is the act of listening; the act of paying deep and intentional attention to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse,” Hargitay said during the ceremony. “Why should we listen? Why is this listen worthy of a place in the Smithsonian? Why is it so important to the American story? Because by listening we participate in the act of healing. We all know that on an intuitive level. Because listening gives survivors the space, time and freedom to speak out, helping them dispel the darkness surrounding sexual and domestic violence. These crimes thrive in the darkness. Speaking and listening sheds light.”
Hargitay closed the ceremony by addressing the survivors directly: “We are listening and your stories matter to the entire story of this country. We listen to you, we believe you and your healing is our priority.”
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