‘Law & Order SVU: How the Show Tried to Write Around Mariska Hargitay’s Pregnancy

Mariska Hargitay, celebrated for her role as Detective Olivia Benson in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, faced a unique set of challenges when she experienced her first pregnancy while still on the show. In 2006, as Hargitay prepared to welcome her first child, the implications for her on-screen role became a noteworthy topic.

Navigating Pregnancy and Work on SVU

Hargitay’s pregnancy brought both joy and significant hurdles. In an interview with People, she shared her excitement about becoming a mother but also the difficulties she faced during this period. “First time pregnant, you’re like, I gotta eat more! I have to make sure he has enough of every single food group!” Hargitay confessed, revealing that she gained 54 pounds and struggled with mobility as her pregnancy progressed.

During this time, Hargitay offered fans a personal glimpse into her daily life. “In the beginning of 2006, I was like a lot of women in America — pregnant and still on the job,” she wrote on TV Guide. “Of course, lots of actresses do that. Some even have it written into the script. That wasn’t going to be the case for Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. There’s no time for morning sickness when you’re running through the streets of New York lugging a gun, and there are only so many ways one can conceal a swelling belly.”

To accommodate Hargitay’s physical changes, SVU producers opted not to write a pregnancy storyline for Olivia Benson. Instead, they temporarily wrote her out of the show. “Not sure if you’ve heard, but the producers have decided not to make Olivia pregnant, so I won’t be in a few episodes,” she noted according to the New York Post. “But don’t worry, the writers are working on some really great storylines, and there will be a special guest star filling in for me.”

The Personal Impact of Motherhood

The experience of pregnancy had a profound impact on Hargitay, both physically and emotionally. Reflecting on her transformed body, she described how her perspective shifted. “After getting pregnant I felt so different about my body. I felt like it was a sanctuary, like August’s house. It was like, somebody lives there now—I’ve got to keep it nice and strong and healthy for him.”

Emotionally, Hargitay found new depths of love and connection. “Sometimes when I wake up to feed him in the middle of the night, I just stay up and look at him in awe and admiration,” she said. “Why sleep when you can spend time with such an amazing little guy?”

Upon returning to SVU in September, Hargitay seamlessly reintegrated into her role. The only notable difference was the presence of her newborn, August. “When I came back to the show in September, it was like I had never been away. The only difference: I had a 9 mm Glock on one hip and August on the other,” she explained. “August is with me 24/7, so no matter how long or demanding or emotional the work is, I have him to help me put everything in perspective. Just looking at him refreshes and replenishes my spirit.”

Mariska Hargitay’s journey through pregnancy while maintaining her role on Law & Order: SVU exemplifies the resilience and dedication that both she and her character embody. Her ability to balance the demands of her career with the joys and challenges of motherhood remains a testament to her strength and adaptability.