Mariska Hargitay is better known as Detective Olivia Benson, have played the famous detective in Law and Order: Special Victims Unit for nearly three decades.

Even though her television careers is one of the longest in the industry, the actress has no plans to retire or step away from the hit show.

“She refuses to retire and is prepared to take this show as far as she can go,” a source claimed to Closer.

“She doesn’t know what she’d do without SVU. She is Olivia Benson, and Olivia Benson is her.”

Mariska Wants To Continue The Show For As Long As Possible

The source added that Mariska gets a lot of joy out of her Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization she started that works to end child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence, recurring themes on the show, showing just how much the content matter has inspired her in real life.

The insider also adds that Mariska is close to the show’s production crew, and doesn’t want to see them move on, either. “She feels a responsibility to them,” they explained. “They’d be out of a job without her.”

Mariska Has Been On Law & Order: SVU For 25 Seasons

Law & Order: SVU is currently on its 25th season, and Mariska is one of few actors who remains from its original cast.

first graced the screen as Detective Olivia Benson in the show’s pilot episode, which aired on September 20, 1999. Over the years, her portrayal of Benson has not only made her famous but also garnered critical acclaim, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

Law & Order: SVU, a spin-off of the original Law & Order series, delves into the dark and often harrowing world of the Special Victims Unit of the New York City Police Department. This unit investigates sexually-based offenses, child abuse, and domestic violence cases.

Hargitay’s character started as a detective and worked her way up to captain, becoming a beacon of strength, empathy, and justice. Benson’s personal backstory, which includes being the child of a rape victim, adds depth to her character and drives her dedication to her work.

Hargitay’s role on SVU has not been without controversy. The show itself tackles sensitive and often disturbing topics, which has sparked debate over its handling of such issues.

Additionally, in 2011, Hargitay faced contract renegotiation disputes but ultimately signed on for additional seasons, ensuring her continued presence on the show.

In real life, Mariska is married to one of her former SVU co-stars, Peter Herman, who’s recurring role led to the couple marrying in 2004. The couple has three children: son August, born in June 2006, and two adopted children, daughter Amaya and son Andrew.

The Law & Order franchise has suffered from low ratings in recent years, leading to murmurings some of the long-running shows could be axed, including SVU. But Mariska’s persistence (and popularity) may be the reason the show is lasting so longer, and still going strong.