Exclusive: Mariska Hargitay Reveals Whether She *Actually* Wants Benson and Stabler to Get Together

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Mariska Hargitay is a champion for women both on and off the screen. For over two decades, she’s starred as Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, a role that opened her eyes to the alarming statistics about sexual assault in the United States. 

“I count my lucky stars every day that my path crossed with SVU,” she tells Soaps. “Within the first probably six months of the show, I learned the statistics … that one in four women are sexually assaulted in their lifetime by the time they’re 18.” She added: “I just couldn’t believe that and couldn’t believe that no one was talking about it.” 

Five years later, Hargitay founded the Joyful Hearts Foundation, a leading nonprofit whose mission is to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. Since then, the Joyful Hearts Foundation has helped thousands of survivors heal through trauma-informed support programs, including counseling, wellness retreats, and community-building initiatives. 

“It’s been a journey and a gift to watch what’s happened over the last 20 years,” Harigtay says. “To see how things have changed and how women’s voices have changed the culture … how people are coming forward.”  

Most recently, the Emmy-winning actress partnered with the Purple Leash Project, an initiative led by Purina and RedRover that aims to make domestic violence shelters more pet-friendly. On May 6, Hargitay unveiled a new statue in New York City’s Times Square as part of her work with the Purple Leash Project. The artwork, titled “Courageous Together,” depicts a domestic violence survivor and her dog, connected by a purple leash, taking the first step forward together. Artist Kristen Visbal, known for the “Fearless Girl” statue, created the piece, which will travel to various locations across the country, including the 2024 Westminster Dog Show.

Ahead of the unveiling, Harigtay spoke to Soaps about the initiative and all things SVU. Find our full conversation below:

Soaps: How does it feel to be on the 25th season of SVU? Did you ever expect that the show would go on this long? 

MH: You have to understand how actors think. It’s an interesting art form, because unless we write our own material, we’re bringing other people’s words and worlds to life. It’s a gift when we get a role that we connect to deeply, and the idea that something will run for multiple seasons is certainly something we hope for, but it’s not something we count on in any way. So did I ever expect SVU to run for 25 seasons? No. At the same time, I look at our show now, and every part of our journey feels so right and so necessary. I’m both deeply grateful and deeply proud that we have been telling these important stories for all these years. 

Soaps: Is there anything you can tell us about the season finale? 

MH: The name of the episode is “Duty to Hope.” The finale honors the question running through all twenty-five seasons—and a very real question in law enforcement everywhere: What is it that fuels a commitment to justice? Where does the resolve come from to honor the duty to keep fighting, to keep hoping? It’s a complex question, both in the show and in my life, and I love the process of uncovering the deeper layers. 

Soaps: In Season 24 we almost got a Benson/Stabler kiss, but you recently shared that it was changed at the last minute. Do you think fans will get one in the future? Do you want the characters to go there?

MH: It’s a combination of great writing and a very fortunate pairing of actors when you have a relationship between two characters that fans invest in this deeply. If I were watching the show, I’m sure I would love that ache of watching these two people who have so much history, and who play such beautifully complex roles in each other’s lives. Sometimes I think “But wait, there are bigger stories that SVU is telling,” but then I realize that all of it is important, because the characters we play are three-dimensional people, and it’s great to be committed to all their dimensions. The possibility of finding safety and comfort in another person, especially when vulnerability feels like a dangerous prospect, is such an important aspect of Olivia’s life. But do I know what’s going to happen? I don’t. And isn’t that a glorious thing! 

Soaps: What are your thoughts on Organized Crime moving over to Peacock? Do you think that will impact future Benson/Stabler Cameos? 

MH: I think Organized Crime could move to Mars, we’d still be doing cameos in each other’s shows. And if they don’t write the cameos for us, we’ll just find out where the other person is shooting and stroll through the background of a scene. Wait wait wait, rewind that, was that Olivia getting off the bus?? Keep an eye out! 

Soaps: If you could bring back one cast member, which one would it be? 

MH: That’s a deeper and more difficult question than you realize. John Ritter. Ned Eisenberg. Andre Brauer. Robin Williams. And my dear, dear Richard Belzer. I don’t just want to bring them back on the show, I just want them back. 

Soaps: Let’s talk about your initiative with the Purple Leash Project. What made you want to get involved? 

MH: My work at Joyful Heart and creating the foundation was about me wanting to transform the way people respond to domestic violence, sexual violence and violence in general. And this campaign was so beautifully aligned with what I do. The fact that [Purina and RedRover] are looking to make survivors’ lives safer and more comfortable and to keep them out of isolation, which is one of the hardest things about being a domestic violence victim. When I found out that only 20 percent of shelters allow pets it was very moving to me. Purina is looking to change that and looking to provide the resources and the support that victims deserve. Also learning 50 percent of survivors delay leaving their abuser because they’re so torn between their own safety and the safety of their pet … you just cannot overstate the bond between humans and our pets and the companionship and safety they provide us. 

Soaps: What are you hoping this campaign achieves? 

MH: I’m rooting for survivors to get the support that they need. I mean, awareness is great and so necessary, but the other thing that’s important when we’re talking about these issues is the actual conversation. There are all different forms of justice and the way you learn about what survivors need is by listening to them. I think Purina is listening to them … having their pet along with them and getting to take their entire family with them, that’s how we support survivors. 

Soaps: What can you tell us about the statue?

MH: I was so moved by this incredible, incredible piece of art that Kristen Visbal created. It’s so incredibly elegant and powerful. You also see the strength in the survivor and the support of the beloved dog is palpable. You can feel their connection by this beautiful, beautiful purple leash. And they’re moving together to heal in this courageous step forward. Art has this gorgeous way of initiating conversations, but also making people confront very difficult issues and helping them metabolize it so that it’s easier to ingest. We know that historically, people have shied away from the conversations of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. My mission and Purina’s mission is to shine a big, bright light on that and change it. 

Soaps: You’ve obviously been an advocate for victims and survivors for years. Can you tell us a little bit about how playing Olivia Benson sparked that passion?

MH: I loved the material when I read it and it was so progressive. This was the first time I had seen anything like that on television or in a script in that way. And for me, again, it was about learning the statistics. One in four women are sexually assaulted by the time they’re 18, one in three in their lifetime, and one in six men. I couldn’t believe it. And this is an epidemic around the world … The fact of the matter is that now there’s this beautiful community and community is what changes the trajectory of someone’s healing.

Soaps: Since this campaign is all about pets, can you tell us more about why you chose to name your cat Karma after Taylor Swift’s song? What was your first reaction to learning that Taylor named her cat Olivia Benson? 

MH: It’s a whole sequence of events. I was over the moon when I found out that Taylor named her cat Olivia Benson. And of course the cat also got all my promotions, so now Taylor has Captain Benson walking around her house. I’m not going to lie, both Taylor and Swift were contenders for names if we ever got a cat, but then of course I heard “Karma is a cat,” and I had my marching orders for the name. 

Episodes of Law & Order: SVU can be streamed on Peacock.

For more on Law & Order: SVU, check out this gallery on the show’s best guest stars ranked.