Law & Order: SVU is closely associated with lead actress Mariska Hargitay, but two other actresses almost played the iconic role of Olivia Benson. The procedural is a source of support, comfort, and empowerment to many real-life sexual assault survivors, in large part because of Hargitay’s character in the show. Many of the best episodes of Law & Order: SVU feature Benson going beyond the call of duty to ensure that the victims she works with have the support they need to move forward after their case is over.

This advocacy has crossed over into real life for Hargitay, who has a foundation dedicated to supporting survivors. Hargitay’s on-screen and off-screen activism makes it difficult to imagine any other actress in the role of Olivia Benson. She has been the face of Law & Order: SVU for over two decades, and in that time Benson has grown from a rookie detective to leading her own team in Law & Order: SVU season 26. However, had Hargitay’s screen test with Christopher Meloni not convinced Dick Wolf she was the right actress, another leading lady might be associated with Benson’s character.

Samantha Mathis & Reiko Aylesworth Were Considered For The Role Of Olivia Benson In Law & Order: SVU

Hargitay Had Three Auditions Before She Was Chosen

Mariska Hargitay was primarily known for her role of Cynthia Hooper in ER at the time she auditioned for Law & Order: SVU. She had to compete with several other actresses during initial auditions and during two callbacks. The final three actresses that Dick Wolf was considering for the role of Olivia Benson were Hargitay, Samantha Mathis, and Reiko Aylesworth. Mathis was best known at the time for her role in 1988’s Aaron’s Way, while Aylesworth played Rebecca Lewis on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live from 1993-1994.

By the time she had her third callback, Hargitay was determined to get the role and even told Dick Wolf that the role was hers (via Today). While Wolf ultimately agreed, choosing Hargitay to play the now-iconic character of Olivia Benson, both Mathis and Aylesworth appeared as guest stars during the first few seasons of Law & Order: SVU. Thus, it’s clear that Wolf was impressed with their abilities even though he didn’t hire them to play the role they auditioned for.

How Mariska Hargitay Ended Up Playing Benson In Law & Order: SVU

Her Screen Test With Christopher Meloni Sealed The Deal

Hargitay’s success at landing the role was due to several factors. Her self-confidence and determination during the first callback likely impressed Dick Wolf. Hargitay explained to Today that after seeing a “stunning woman in the waiting room” during the callback, she told Wolf, “Listen, I don’t know what you’re doing, but you’re a little confused: This is my role. This is my part. I am Olivia Benson.”

That said, Hargitay’s screen test with Christopher Meloni sealed the deal for both actors. During one of the callbacks, Wolf paired his final three choices for Benson with his final choices for Law & Order: SVU‘s Elliot Stabler. Hargitay and Meloni clicked, and they both thought the other one was their perfect screen partner. Dick Wolf agreed, and he hired both actors to play the roles in Law & Order: SVU that they would become famous for.