Mariska Hargitay has played the iconic role of Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” for over two decades. She has been bringing justice and grit to New York’s toughest cases. Recently, however, the Emmy-winning actress and producer took a break from detective work to chat with Seth Meyers on “Late Night With Seth Meyers.”
The actress revealed something unexpected: Every A-list actor out there is dying – literally dying – to play a corpse on the show. Yes, that is right. It seems Hollywood’s biggest stars are vying for the chance to lie still on a metal slab or be found in a dark alley as a lifeless body.
Why Do Stars Want to Play Dead?
There is something ironic about Hollywood’s most lively and charismatic actors wanting to take on such a still and silent role. However, Mariska Hargitay thinks it is all part of the show’s legacy. “Law & Order: SVU” has been a launching pad for some of the industry’s most significant talents and has become an institution in television.
So, why wouldn’t famous actors want to make their mark? Even if that means spending hours as a lifeless prop?
The fascination with being a corpse might also come down to the quirky appeal of the show itself. Guest stars are usually given dramatic, intense storylines, so perhaps there is a bit of comic relief in playing a role that requires little more than lying still.
Hargitay’s character, Olivia Benson, has spent years solving cases with a team of detectives who inspect these bodies for clues, which offers actors a backstage pass to witness the SVU team in action without memorizing complicated lines or performing stunts.
For seasoned actors used to being the center of attention, playing a dead body might feel like a refreshing change of pace.
Mariska Hargitay Wants a New Role Too!
Interestingly, Mariska Hargitay shared that she herself has a role she is eager to try on “SVU.” But so far, the writers won’t give it to her. Instead of tackling a murder mystery or taking down a dangerous criminal, Hargitay wants to play a character who, well, lets loose a bit more.
She wants to be drunk. As she laughingly explained to Meyers, she has had countless scenes in bars over the years, but the writers never let Olivia Benson indulge. For Hargitay, it is a part of the role she would love to explore. Even just once!
The idea of Olivia Benson drunk may sound out of character, but Hargitay’s request speaks to the constant push actors feel to stretch their roles and bring in new elements. As the show’s lead, Hargitay has portrayed Benson through complex personal and professional crises. Yet, she has never had the chance to “let her hair down.”
It is a funny and unexpected wish. The actress joked that she would keep pretending to be drunk in bars, hoping a producer would see her and decide to write it into a future episode.