Over the years, Mariska Hargitay has guided Olivia Benson into three different parts of the Law & Order universe. She has appeared in more than 500 episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, five episodes of Law & Order, and 11 episodes of Law & Order: Organized Crime. And while there have been no reports of Captain Benson leaving SVU any time soon, Hargitay told E! News that she has some ideas about her character’s eventual departure. “I hope she can get to a point where she feels like she’s done enough service and it’s time to rest and see the best that life has to offer,” she said, adding adding that she would love to see Benson enjoy her kids and spend time with someone special. This is as fans look for clues as to possible romantic feelings between Benson and Elliot Stabler.
The idea of Benson ever leaving is something fans might not want to imagine, especially after the recent departure of Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish). But these are plans Hargitay has apparently been contemplating for some time. E! News reports that they spoke to Hargitay about those details in September 2022, but she teased her ideas for a possible ending to her character back in 2018. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit returns to NBC on Jan. 5, 2023 21 clock
