Law & Order: Special Victims Unitstar Mariska Hargitay is doubtlessly one of the biggest names in the history of primetime television. Hargitay’s signature character,Olivia Benson, has had an extensive journey throughoutSVU, working through intense crimes and raising her rank over the years from detective to captain.
Christopher Meloni’s Elliot Stabler andIce-T’s Fin Tutuolahave also had extensive runs onSVU. Meanwhile, Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs fromNCIS, Kelsey Grammer’s Frasier Crane, and Sam Waterson’sJack McCoy fromLaw & Ordercome to mind as long-running primetime characters.But none hold a candle to Hargitay’s ongoing tenure as Benson,who only gets better over time.
Mariska Hargitay Is The Longest-Running Actor In A Primetime Live-Action TV Show (& It’s Not Even Close)
Olivia Benson Has Been On SVU Ever Since The Show’s Premiere
While several characters have had remarkable runs on primetime TV,Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson has far surpassed them, starring in nearly 600 total episodes ofSVU.What makes Benson enduring and powerful is her no-nonsense attitude when tackling sex crimes. Benson’s constant compassion and empathy for the victims in need of support have also made her a strong heroine.
Olivia’s personal relationships and partnerships over the yearssignify her evolution not only as a detective but as a personand mother who understands how to have a purposeful career and life. Additionally,Benson’s bonds with Stabler, Fin, Rollins, and Carisi establish her willingness to work diligently with anyone to lead a unit that solves cases and gets the job done right.
Mariska Hargitay Has Headlined 574 Episodes Of Law & Order: SVU
Hargitay’s Benson Shows No Signs Of Slowing Down After 26 Seasons
As the longest-running primetime live-action character in TV history,Hargitay’s Olivia Benson has appeared in 574 episodes ofSVUand 599 episodes overall in theLaw & Orderfranchise. Aside fromSVU, Benson appears in seven episodes of the originalLaw & Order, one episode ofLaw & Order: Trial by Jury, and 14 episodes ofLaw & Order: Organized Crime.
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Chicago Fire
Benson has also made special appearances in Dick Wolf’sOne Chicagofranchise, guest-starring in episodes ofChicago P.D.andChicago Fire. Thus, Olivia’s long-standing tenure and reputation have made her a powerful presence not only onSVUbut in other shows, as she works with other officers, like Sergeant Hank Voight’s Intelligence unit, in certain cases.
AsLaw & Order: SVUseason 27 airs this fall, Benson’s continuous work as police captain and mother will surely keep her busy, along with her renewed partnership with Amanda Rollins. And if Hargitay keeps on portraying Benson for more seasons in the years to come, she’ll extend her streak even further as the longest-running primetime character in TV history.
Law & Order: SVUseason 27 will air this fall 2025 on NBC.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Cast
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is a television series that premiered in 1999. Set in the criminal justice system of New York City, it follows an elite team of detectives who investigate sexually-based offenses, focusing on their efforts to solve complex cases and seek justice for victims.
