Mariska Hargitay Directed Tonight’s ‘Law & Order: SVU’—Find Out How Many Episodes She’s Helmed So Far

Some women really can do it all.
As if being Captain weren’t enough, Mariska Hargitay also sometimes goes by Director. The Law & Order: SVU star stepped behind the camera to direct the next episode of the NBC hit, which airs April 11, and it’s not even close to the first time she’s pulled double—or even triple—duty as star, director and executive producer.

Read on to find out more about her experience at the helm.
How many episodes of Law & Order: SVU has Mariska Hargitay directed?
Hargitay has directed nine episodes of the series so far, including this week’s Season 25 episode “Children of Wolves.” She first started directing in Season 15.
“Directing has been profound,” she told USA Network in 2019. “It helped me understand all of the moving pieces. As an actor, you’re sort of focused on your role and what you need to do, and directing obviously is a huge zoom-out…It’s just made me a better storyteller in every way.”
Which episodes of Law & Order: SVU has Mariska Hargitay directed?
Here’s a quick rundown of the episodes with Hargitay behind the camera. All episodes are streaming on Peacock.

Season 15, Episode 18: “Criminal Stories”

Alec Baldwin guest starred as a columnist who was given full access to Benson and the squad, and ended up meddling in public opinion of a rape case.
Season 16, Episode 12: “Padre Sandunguero”
Detective Nick Amaro (Danny Pino) took the spotlight when it was revealed that he grew up with an abusive father and had to choose whether or not to testify against family.

Season 17, Episode 12: “A Misunderstanding”
In a sort of Romeo and Juliet-esque tale, the squad investigated a potential (and confusing) date rape case between two high schoolers.
Season 20, Episode 9: “Mea Culpa”
ADA Peter Stone (Philip Winchester) needed Olivia Benson’s help when a woman from his past resurfaced and accused him of rape.

Season 21, Episode 11: “She Paints for Vengeance”

After Benson noticed posters and a billboard put up by an artist who was protesting her rape case being ignored, she and the squad investigated accusations against a rich local celebrity.
Season 24, Episode 15: “King of the Moon”
Bradley Whitford and Nancy Travis guest starred in this heartbreaking tale of a man with dementia (Whitford), who confessed to raping and murdering his wife (Travis). Benson and the squad quickly determined that there was something wrong with that confession and set out to find the real culprit.
What episode is Mariska Hargitay directing next?
Tonight, April 11, NBC will air “Children of Wolves,” the ninth episode of Season 25 and the ninth episode that Hargitay has directed so far. According to The spooky promo features teen boys waiting in a park to attack unsuspecting park goers. Captain Benson is seen on the phone saying, “You’re an animal.”
Watch the teaser below and catch the episode when it airs on April 11 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.