MARISKA HARGITAY REVEALS PERSONAL SECRETS AND RETURNS IN FULL FORCE IN LAW & ORDER: SVU SEASON 27
If Season 27 of SVU is a television event, its beating heart is none other than Mariska Hargitay. For more than 25 years, she has embodied Olivia Benson, transforming the character into a global symbol of justice—and herself into the longest-running leading actress in American TV history. But this season is special for another reason: it mirrors major turning points in Hargitay’s personal life.
In the past year alone, Hargitay has been a constant presence in headlines. She celebrated her 21st wedding anniversary with husband Peter Hermann, released her deeply personal documentary My Mom Jayne about her legendary mother Jayne Mansfield, and reunited with co-star Christopher Meloni on the 2025 Emmys red carpet to mark 35 years of the Law & Order franchise. Each milestone has reminded fans of Olivia Benson—a woman who has endured loss but continues to move forward with strength and grace.
My Mom Jayne drew particular attention when Hargitay revealed that the man who raised her was not her biological father—a secret she had kept for decades. This act of honesty and courage resonated deeply with viewers, shining a light on why Hargitay portrays Benson with such emotional depth. In many ways, actress and character reflect one another: both have learned to confront pain and transform it into power in the pursuit of justice.
Back on-screen, Season 27 promises to challenge Benson not only with harrowing cases but with continued personal growth. As Hargitay has said, “Olivia Benson is the perfect feminist story because the audience has watched a woman grow up and claim her power.” That evolution is what elevates SVU beyond a procedural drama and turns it into an inspiration for multiple generations.
Every time she steps onto the set, Hargitay is more than just the leading actress—she is the soul of the series. She often emphasizes the cast and crew’s bond: “We are one unit, a sacred family.” That unity is what has kept SVU alive and thriving for nearly three decades. And this season, audiences can expect to see Benson at her most commanding yet—a fierce captain and a deeply human icon on the small screen.
When September 25 arrives and that iconic opening “Dun Dun” sounds, it won’t just mark the start of a new season. It will be a reminder that Mariska Hargitay and Olivia Benson are still writing their story of justice—one where strength and compassion meet to leave a lasting impact on viewers’ hearts.