After a quarter of a century playing detective Olivia Benson on Law and Order: SVU, Mariska Hargitay has saved a lot of fictional New York children. And according to People, Hargitay recently helped a real lost little girl who walked up to the actor while Hargitay was shooting an episode of SVU, and asked for help—assuming that Hargitay was a real police officer.
Per People, the child got separated from her mother on April 10 in the Anne Loftus Playground in Fort Tryon Park, when Hargitay and the crew were shooting one of the final episodes of SVU season 25. An executive producer on SVU as well as its star, Hargitay halted production on the episode for 20 minutes after the girl approached her, kneeling down to speak to her and help reunite her with her mother.
Having played the detective for almost 25 years—and taken few other acting roles during that time—it’s no surprise Hargitay feels deeply linked to Olivia Benson. “We’ve been on a parallel journey,” Hargitay told People in January. “There’s a thing: WWOBD, ‘What would Olivia Benson do?’ The fans would always talk about it, and one day it hit me. I also have those moments where I’ve sort of slipped into her. If there’s a crisis, I just take over and lead like that. Being strong and fearless. It’s sort of this perfect feminist story.”
Currently in the midst of airing its 25th season, Law and Order: SVU is the longest-running drama series in TV history. In March, the NBC show was recently renewed for a historic 26th season, with Hargitay attached to continue playing Olivia Benson. Thank goodness; it’s clear the city needs detective Olivia Benson now more than ever.
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