For more than a decade, Kelli Giddish and Mariska Hargitay stood side by side on one of television’s most enduring crime dramas, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. As Detective Amanda Rollins and Captain Olivia Benson, their on-screen partnership was layered, emotionally charged, and fiercely authentic. But behind the scenes, the dynamic between the two actresses was just as meaningful.
In an exclusive conversation reflecting on her years with the series, Giddish revealed there’s one thing she regrets not asking Hargitay during their time working together — a simple but profound question that, in hindsight, feels almost symbolic of their journey.
And surprisingly, it’s not about acting technique, career longevity, or surviving two decades in primetime television.
It’s about leadership.
A Partnership That Shaped a Decade of Television
When Giddish joined SVU in Season 13, she stepped into a show already anchored by Hargitay’s commanding presence. Hargitay had been with the series since its 1999 debut, guiding the evolution of Olivia Benson from detective to captain.
For a new cast member, that kind of legacy can feel intimidating.
But Giddish describes her early days not as overwhelming, but as grounding.
“Mariska didn’t just carry the show,” Giddish reflected. “She carried the room.”
From table reads to emotionally heavy storylines, Hargitay’s leadership style was subtle yet powerful. She created space. She listened. She made sure every actor felt seen.
That presence shaped Rollins’ arc in ways viewers may not even realize.
The Question She Never Asked
So what is the one thing Giddish regrets not asking?
“How do you sustain this — not just professionally, but emotionally — for over twenty years?”
It sounds simple. But for actors on a series like SVU, the emotional toll is real. The show tackles some of the darkest crimes imaginable. Week after week, the cast immerses themselves in trauma-heavy narratives centered on survivors, injustice, and moral complexity.
Giddish admits she often wondered how Hargitay managed to stay both passionate and compassionate after so many years.
“I wish I had asked her how she protects her heart,” Giddish said. “How she stays open without burning out.”
It’s a question about endurance — not just in Hollywood, but in life.
Learning by Watching Instead of Asking
While she never formally asked the question, Giddish says she learned the answer anyway — by observing.
Hargitay’s approach to the show extended beyond performance. As an executive producer and later a director on several episodes, she cultivated an atmosphere of respect and advocacy. Her real-life commitment to survivors through philanthropic work mirrored Benson’s fictional dedication.
That alignment between art and purpose created something rare in television: authenticity.
“Mariska leads with empathy,” Giddish said. “It’s not performative. It’s who she is.”
In many ways, that became the unofficial masterclass.
The Weight of Rollins’ Journey
Amanda Rollins was never a simple character. Over 12 seasons, she battled gambling addiction, family trauma, complicated romances, and professional doubt.
Opposite Benson’s steadiness, Rollins’ vulnerability created tension — and chemistry.
Giddish credits Hargitay for encouraging her to lean into the messiness.
“She never wanted perfection,” Giddish explained. “She wanted truth.”
That creative freedom allowed Rollins to evolve in unexpected ways, culminating in emotional storylines that resonated deeply with fans.
Yet through it all, Benson remained a constant.
And so did Hargitay.
Why the Regret Feels Bigger Now
When Giddish departed the series in 2022, fans were vocal about their heartbreak. Her exit marked the end of a significant era for the show.
It was only afterward, with distance and reflection, that the unasked question began to linger.
“In the middle of it, you’re moving so fast,” she said. “You think there will always be time.”
But television — like life — moves forward.
The regret isn’t dramatic or filled with unresolved tension. It’s softer than that. It’s the kind of realization that comes when you look back at a chapter that shaped you.
Sometimes the most important questions are the quiet ones.
A Bond Beyond the Script
Despite her regret, Giddish makes one thing clear: her bond with Hargitay remains strong.
There is no dramatic fallout. No behind-the-scenes tension. Instead, there is gratitude.
“Working with her changed me,” Giddish said. “As an actor and as a woman.”
Hargitay has often spoken about creating a safe environment on set — something especially important given the sensitive material SVU handles.
That environment allowed Giddish to take risks.
It also allowed friendship to flourish.
The Legacy of Olivia Benson — and Mariska Hargitay
It’s impossible to talk about SVU without acknowledging Hargitay’s cultural impact. Olivia Benson isn’t just a character; she’s become a symbol of resilience and advocacy.
Over 25 seasons, the series has remained one of NBC’s most consistent performers. Benson’s journey mirrors societal conversations about consent, trauma, and justice.
For Giddish, witnessing that evolution up close was a gift.
“She doesn’t phone it in,” Giddish said. “Even now.”
That level of sustained commitment is rare in any industry.
What Giddish Carries Forward
Though she’s moved on to new projects, Giddish says the lessons she absorbed from Hargitay travel with her.
The importance of listening.
The discipline of preparation.
The power of kindness in leadership.
Most of all, the reminder that longevity isn’t about stamina alone — it’s about purpose.
If she could go back and ask that one question, she says she might phrase it differently now.
“Maybe I’d ask, ‘What keeps you connected to why you started?’”
Because in the end, that’s what sustains anyone through decades of work.
Full Circle Moments
Television history is filled with partnerships that define eras. Benson and Rollins belong in that conversation.
Their scenes together carried emotional weight because the actresses trusted each other.
Even without the formal question, the answer was always present in the work itself.
“You don’t last 20-plus years without love,” Giddish reflected. “Love for the work. Love for the people. Love for the stories.”
Perhaps that’s what she would have discovered had she asked outright.
Or perhaps she already knew.
