Mariska Hargitay, 60, sizzles in edgy all
Mariska Hargitay sizzles in sexy all-black as she graces the cover of Variety's Power Of Women issue this month.
Puckering her glossy nude pout, the Law & Order: SVU star, 60, rocked a black leather jacket over a pussy bow blouse and wide-legged pants.
She stood on tall stiletto heels and her honey-toned hair looked voluminous as she posed against a gray backdrop.
In the issue, Hargitay — who has played the role of NYPD Captain, Olivia Benson, for over two decades — discussed the show's 'loyal and protective' fanbase as well as the 'tough love' she's received from creator Dick Wolf.
'I feel like I have different kinds of fans because of the [show's] subject matter. They're so loyal and protective, it feels personal,' she told Variety.
Mariska Hargitay sizzles in sexy all-black as she graces the cover of Variety's Power Of Women issue this month
Having first premiered on NBC in 1999, the Law & Order spin-off follows the elite detectives of the NYPD's Special Victims Unit as they work to bring justice to victims of crimes, such as sexual assault, child molestation, domestic violence and human trafficking.
From 1999 until 2011, Hargitay played second fiddle to Christopher Meloni's Elliot Stabler.
Things changed, however, after Meloni left the program in 2011 and Hargitay became the program's lead and her character was promoted to squad captain.
The Dick Wolf-created show that also stars rapper Ice-T as Sergeant Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola, has since surpassed the episode count of its predecessor, and it has become one of the longest-running programs in television history.
Law & Order: SVU's newest season premiered in January, and NBC celebrated the show's 25th anniversary by temporarily changing Rockefeller Plaza's name to Olivia Benson Plaza.
The show was renewed for a 26th season in March.
'This show is such a unicorn…The world and the culture needed an Olivia Benson, needed somebody to talk about these things and fight for survivors and believe victims,' Hargitay explained.
The actress has been a dedicated advocate for victims of sexual assault and even launched the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004, which helps sexual assault victims defend themselves in court.
In the issue, Hargitay — who has played the role of NYPD Captain, Olivia Benson, for over two decades — discussed the show's 'loyal and protective' fanbase as well as the 'tough love' she's received from creator Dick Wolf
Having first premiered on NBC in 1999, the Law & Order spin-off follows the elite detectives of the NYPD's Special Victims Unit as they work to bring justice to victims of sexual assault, child molestation, domestic violence and human trafficking; seen with Christopher Meloni in 1999
From 1999 until 2011, Hargitay played second fiddle to Christopher Meloni, who played the leading man on the program as Elliot Stabler. Things changed, however, after Christopher Meloni left the program in 2011 and she became the program's lead and her character was promoted to squad captain
The foundation's mission is to 'transform society's response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, support survivors' healing, and end this violence forever,' as per the Joyful Heart Foundation website.
She continued: 'The inception of the show was so genius that way, because Olivia was the loving mother that we all want and Stabler was the angry, protective father. It was this beautiful, perfect construct of what an injured soul needed.'
Hargitay then opened up about her working relationship with series creator Dick Wolf and how she sees him as 'family.'
'There's a beautiful mutual respect. We're extremely close, like family. He and I have had some gnarly negotiation. And I don't think he's had that with anyone else,' she confessed.
Hargitay said that Wolf's 'tough love' taught her how to advocate for herself.
'He's said things to me that are almost paternal over the years, but tough. When I say tough love, I mean, tough love. There's no coddling…I can do hard things now,' she told the outlet.
'I don't know that I was always like that. I think in the beginning of the show, I had to fake a lot of it. I was still learning it. Now I fit into these shoes.
'It's been a magnificent journey. I have learned to advocate for myself, ironically, from Dick.'
Hargitay then opened up about her working relationship with series creator Dick Wolf and how she sees him as 'family.' 'There's a beautiful mutual respect. We're extremely close, like family. He and I have had some gnarly negotiation. And I don't think he's had that with anyone else,' she confessed; Hargitay and Wolf seen in 2019
Hargitay then addressed Benson's 'near kiss' with Meloni's Eilliot Stabler in season 24, which left many diehard fans disappointed; Hargitay and Meloni pictured
She revealed that her and Meloni were totally on board for the long-awaited kiss but that it was Wolf's last-minute decision to axe it
Hargitay then addressed Benson's 'near kiss' with Meloni's Eilliot Stabler in season 24, which left many diehard fans disappointed.
She revealed that her and Meloni were totally on board for the long-awaited kiss but that it was Wolf's last-minute decision to axe it.
'To be honest with you, [Meloni] and I thought it should go one way and the powers that be didn't, so it got changed at the last minute, that near kiss,' she explained.
'Obviously Dick gets final say. It's his show and he didn't want that…We want to hold the tension and do what's right and truthful for both characters.'
Hargitay also discussed co-star Kelli Giddish's shock exit from the hit legal drama in season 24 and how it's still a 'sore subject' for her.
Giddish played Detective Amanda Rollins for 12 years before announcing her departure in August 2022.
'Kelli is my favorite actor to work with. Kelli is my heart. It's a sore subject. I have a lot of say on the show, but I didn't have enough there…I don't like not being listened to, especially when I'm right,' Hargitay told the magazine.
Hargitay also discussed co-star Kelli Giddish's shock exit from the hit legal drama in season 24 and how it's still a 'sore subject' for her; Giddish and Hargitay seen in April 2024
Hargitay elaborated on the 'strength of women' and how 'liberating' it's been to showcase that on screen; seen in January 2024
'That relationship was one of the most powerful relationships in television because you saw these two bada** women, so flawed and so there for each other.'
Hargitay elaborated on the 'strength of women' and how 'liberating' it's been to showcase that on screen.
'That kind of integration has been the most liberating, because I can cry and I can be a bada** and scare the f**k out of you,' she explained. 'We’re a pie; we have all these different pieces. I’m many things and I accept that.
'So being all of it makes me feel I’m more compassionate with myself and therefore others.'