Mariska Hargitay's thoughts on retiring from Law & Order: SVU will make fans very happy

As Law & Order: SVU enters a record 26th season, fans wonder how long Mariska Hargitay can stay in the role of Olivia Benson. The actress has now spoken up on the chances of her retiring soon!

In the world of television, an actor sticking with a TV show for even five years is impressive. An actor playing the same role after a quarter of a century is almost unheard of. A few have pulled off the feat such as Kelsey Grammer, who first played Frasier Crane on Cheers in 1984, carried it to a 1993-2004 spinoff, and now is back in the role in a 2024 revival. 

However, Hargitay stands tall in television. Since 1999, she has played Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, the only remaining cast member from the show’s first season. This makes Hargitay the only performer to play the same role continuously for 25 years. Benson has risen from a detective to now leading the SVU team as Captain. 

There has been talk by both fans and in the series itself on how long Benson can keep going. Recent seasons have had Benson suffering injuries and clashing more with the politics of the job. She’s teased the possibility of retirement even as she keeps going to help the victims. As SVU keeps getting renewed, Hargitay stays with it, aided by both being a producer and one of the highest-paid actresses on television. Now, Hargitay has spoken up on the chances Benson finally retires or not!

Benson isn't retiring anytime soon on Law & Order: SVU

Speaking to E! News, Hargitay acknowledged that at 60 years old, she has considered quitting as Benson, but not anytime soon.

"I have thought about that. Not yet. Just thought about it for way later. But I'm open."

Hargitay likely knows that Benson is the center of the entire series and leaving the show would be a huge blow to it. The series has done so much for Benson who’s now a mom as well as a top boss with Hargitay earning an Emmy Award for the role.

Hargitay added that even if she does leave the series, she’ll still keep busy. She is an advocate for women’s rights and helping victims of abuse and would likely keep that up as well as perhaps other acting roles:

"I'm a very active person with a lot of irons in the fire. I am somebody who follows the signs. I trust that the future will be right and that I will be where I'm supposed to be. I'm very engaged and fulfilled at SVU right now and there's definitely things that I want to do and achieve [and] challenge myself with."

It might well be that Hargitay would stay away from acting a bit after leaving SVU as it would be hard for fans to see her as anyone but Benson. Yet she may want the challenge of finally departing a role after 25 years to try something new. On the other hand, Hargitay might well decide to stick with Law & Order: SVU until the show itself goes off the air, whenever that is.

So for now it seems Hargitay is sticking around as Benson which is great news for Law & Order: SVU fans.

Law & Order: SVU Season 26 airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.