SVU Star Mariska Hargitay Becomes Real-Life Hero, Reunites Lost Child

On April 10, during the shooting of one of the final episodes for the historic 25th season of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” a young girl mistook Mariska Hargitay for an actual police officer due to her character’s badge and approached her for help after becoming separated from her mother at Anne Loftus Playground.

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A witness explained to PEOPLE that the child stopped Hargitay during filming and immediately asked her for help, leading the actress to pause filming for 20 minutes to help aid the child and successfully reunite her with her mother. The moment solidified her deep connection with her character, Olivia Benson, who became iconic during the show’s run. In a previous interview with the outlet, Hargitay said she would often channel Benson’s traits in real-life crises, embodying strength and leadership.

“There’s a thing: WWOBD, ‘What would Olivia Benson do?’ The fans would always talk about it, and one day, it hit me. I also have those moments where I’ve sort of slipped into her. If there’s a crisis, I just take over and lead like that, being strong and fearless. It’s sort of this perfect feminist story,” she explained.

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The moment Hargitay helped the child went viral on X(formerly known as Twitter) as fans expressed how swift she was in helping the child in need. One fan wrote, “mistaken for real-life cop” She’s been working for the NYPD for over two decades…get it right!”

“Law & Order: SVU” continues to break records. The series is being renewed for a 26th season before the 25th could be concluded, making television history as one of the longest-running primetime live-action series. The show’s success contributes to its cultural impact on both its audience and cast members.

Debuting in 1999, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU) was created based on a notorious real-life case in New York City. Inspired by the “preppie murder” of Jennifer Levin, the show delved into the complex world of detectives tackling sex crimes in New York City. Originally starring Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay, SVU became a cultural phenomenon known for its ripped-from-the-headlines storylines and focus on survivor narratives.

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