In a recent interview, Mariska Hargitay opened up about the emotional toll of portraying Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU for 25 years. Revealing some of her “dark sides,” Hargitay shared how the role challenged her, both professionally and personally. Learn more about her experience and the impact it had on her career.
Mariska Hargitay Reflects on the Emotional Challenges of Playing Olivia Benson
Mariska Hargitay has portrayed Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU for an impressive 25 years. Throughout her tenure on the show, Hargitay has become synonymous with the role, with Benson being one of television’s most iconic characters. However, in a candid recent interview, Hargitay opened up about some of the emotional challenges she faced playing such a complex and often intense character.
For Hargitay, portraying a character like Olivia Benson has required not just acting talent but deep emotional resilience. Benson, a detective in the Special Victims Unit, often faces disturbing cases that involve abuse, assault, and trauma. As Hargitay revealed, the intensity of these stories sometimes took a toll on her personal well-being. The actress admitted that there were times when the emotional weight of the role made it difficult to continue.
Despite these challenges, Hargitay’s commitment to the role has been unwavering, and she has praised the strength and resilience of her character, which has resonated with audiences around the world.
The Toll of Long-Term Commitment to SVU
Law & Order: SVU is one of the longest-running TV shows in history, and with that longevity comes a unique set of challenges. Mariska Hargitay shared that working on such an iconic show for over two decades has impacted her both professionally and personally. While she’s incredibly grateful for the opportunity, there were moments when the constant intensity of the cases portrayed on the show made her question her ability to continue.
Hargitay revealed that playing Benson required her to tap into some of her “dark sides.” The nature of the crimes investigated by Benson and the emotional stories told on SVU often hit close to home for the actress, forcing her to confront difficult emotions. At times, the show’s themes of trauma, violence, and victimization weighed heavily on Hargitay, creating moments of exhaustion and emotional strain.
Despite these hardships, Hargitay has spoken about how the show ultimately gave her a sense of purpose, knowing that it provided a platform to address critical issues surrounding sexual violence and justice. Her role has empowered her to advocate for victims in real life, further cementing the profound impact Benson’s character has had on both Hargitay’s life and the audience.
Balancing Professional and Personal Life
One of the most significant challenges Mariska Hargitay faced while portraying Olivia Benson was maintaining a balance between her professional and personal life. As the show progressed, Hargitay became more deeply invested in the character and the stories SVU told. While she embraced the opportunity to portray a character that gave voice to survivors of violence, Hargitay found that it sometimes became hard to separate the emotions of the role from her personal life.
During her interview, Hargitay discussed the struggles she encountered in maintaining her emotional boundaries. The intense storylines, which often delve into heartbreaking subjects, would stay with her long after filming had wrapped. For a while, this made it difficult for Hargitay to turn off the character when she was at home.
However, over time, she learned to cope with the challenges. Hargitay found that engaging in her passions, like her advocacy work, allowed her to process the heavy emotions tied to her role while also maintaining her own mental health.
Mariska Hargitay’s 25-year journey playing Olivia Benson has been filled with both triumphs and struggles. While the role has taken a significant emotional toll on her, Hargitay has remained a powerful voice for justice and a beacon of resilience for those affected by trauma. The actress’s ability to open up about her “dark sides” shows just how much of herself she’s poured into this iconic character.
Stay tuned for more emotional episodes and moments of triumph that highlight the strength and perseverance of this unforgettable character.
