Mariska Hargitay Discusses Chris Meloni and Her ‘SVU’ Audition with Willie Geist

Although Mariska Hargitay has shouldered the legacy of television’s iconic prime-time drama “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” for 26 years, she credits her journey to the support of her self-described counterpart.

The “SVU” actress has brought the character of Olivia Benson to life on the NBC series since its debut in 1999. Before her character’s elevation from detective to captain, she spent years battling crime by the side of her cherished partner, Detective Elliot Stabler, played by Christopher Meloni.

“Chris and I are complete opposites in our personalities. Honestly, you couldn’t find two people more different,” she remarked during a Sunday Sitdown interview with Sunday TODAY host Willie Geist that aired on Jan. 12. “Yet,” she added, clapping her hands, “there exists this yin-yang dynamic. We just clicked, which everyone noticed early on, so it didn’t come as a surprise to us.”

Mariska Hargitay’s ‘Law & Order: SVU’ audition in 1999

Before Hargitay embodied Olivia Benson and reached new heights of fame, she had to land the role through Dick Wolf.

Wolf, the creator of the “Law & Order” franchise, is someone Hargitay characterizes as “a visionary” and also her friend and equal.

Her connection with Wolf dates back to the late ‘90s when she auditioned for the role of Olivia Benson shortly after completing a recurring part on “ER.”

“It was quite amusing,” she shared with Willie. “I walked in, and after ‘ER,’ I thought, ‘What’s next for me? This show is incredible; there’s really nothing else like it, except ‘Law & Order,’” I told myself. I joked around saying, ‘I need to get on that “Law & Order.”’”

She mentioned that Wolf provided her with “a few notes,” and upon returning for another meeting with him, she noticed a “stunning girl in the waiting room.”

“I panicked,” Hargitay confessed. “I walked in and said, ‘Listen, I don’t know what you’re doing, but there’s been a mix-up: This is my role. I am Olivia Benson.’ And Wolf was chuckling, and I felt compelled to clarify, ‘No, you don’t understand.’”

Her anxiety turned out to be unwarranted, as she later found out that the “gorgeous girl in the lobby,” Mili Avital—who ended up guest-starring in multiple episodes, including the pilot—was auditioning for a different character.

Mariska Hargitay meets Chris Meloni for the 1st time at the ‘SVU’ audition

Before audiences witnessed the duo of Benson and Stabler, there was Hargitay and Meloni.

“When you and Chris enter a room, and Dick Wolf says, ‘That’s it,’” Willie remarked to Hargitay about their audition.

“Absolutely. That’s exactly what happened,” Hargitay confirmed.

“It was a kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she reflected.

During one of her callbacks, Hargitay recounted that three pairs of actors were auditioning together.

“In that moment, when he walked in, I assessed him and thought, ‘That’s the guy,’” she recounted. “‘That’s the guy. That is the guy. That is the guy.’ It was so evident to me, and apparently, he felt the same way.”

Hargitay also pointed out that she and Meloni share a “love for comedy.”

“So, it felt like destiny,” she added.

Initially, they also acknowledged the unique chemistry of their partnership.

“We both realized, ‘I know we have great chemistry,’” she reminisced. “Even during moments of disagreement or tension, it was still there. That’s chemistry, right? We were always pivotal figures in each other’s lives, and we recognized it from the very first moment. We’re still incredibly close.”

When Mariska Hargitay knew ‘SVU’ would be a success

The 26th season of “Law & Order: SVU” launched in October 2024. Hargitay felt that around the show’s second or third season in the early 2000s, it “possessed something” special and was destined for success, primarily because of her connection with Meloni.

“I quickly recognized our almost magical chemistry. I felt it from the start, and we became very close very quickly,” she noted. “And again, it’s that phenomenon where you think, ‘We are so different, yet I truly understand you.’”

Earlier in her chat with Willie, Hargitay expressed her belief that Wolf “values his audience through thoughtful writing.”

“I think we’re all intrigued by the complexities of human nature, good versus evil, and justice. It’s something we require. We need it,” she clarified. “He has a legacy that I believe will remain unparalleled because he truly grasps that reality, all while being an astute businessman.”

Hargitay further attributes the brilliance of the show to the dynamics between Benson and Stabler’s characters.

“I believe the brilliance of my show lies in the balance between the protective, fierce father figure and the tender, nurturing mother figure between us,” she explained.

“It was a flawless equilibrium,” she continued. “You want him to defend and shield you, while you want me to embrace and provide a space for those most vulnerable feelings after experiencing trauma. Ultimately, we all desire to be acknowledged. That need to be seen is perhaps one of the most vital aspects of the human experience.”