Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay is doubtlessly one of the biggest names in the history of primetime television. Hargitay’s signature character, Olivia Benson, has had an extensive journey throughout SVU, working through intense crimes and raising her rank over the years from detective to captain.

Christopher Meloni’s Elliot Stabler and Ice-T’s Fin Tutuola have also had extensive runs on SVU. Meanwhile, Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs from NCIS, Kelsey Grammer’s Frasier Crane, and Sam Waterson’s Jack McCoy from Law & Order come to mind as long-running primetime characters. But none hold a candle to Hargitay’s ongoing tenure as Benson, who only gets better over time.

Mariska Hargitay Is The Longest-Running Actor In A Primetime Live-Action TV Show (& It’s Not Even Close)

Olivia Benson Has Been On SVU Ever Since The Show’s Premiere

While several characters have had remarkable runs on primetime TV, Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson has far surpassed them, starring in nearly 600 total episodes of SVU. What makes Benson enduring and powerful is her no-nonsense attitude when tackling sex crimes. Benson’s constant compassion and empathy for the victims in need of support have also made her a strong heroine.

Olivia’s personal relationships and partnerships over the years signify her evolution not only as a detective but as a person and mother who understands how to have a purposeful career and life. Additionally, Benson’s bonds with Stabler, Fin, Rollins, and Carisi establish her willingness to work diligently with anyone to lead a unit that solves cases and gets the job done right.

Mariska Hargitay Has Headlined 574 Episodes Of Law & Order: SVU

Hargitay’s Benson Shows No Signs Of Slowing Down After 26 Seasons

As the longest-running primetime live-action character in TV history, Hargitay’s Olivia Benson has appeared in 574 episodes of SVU and 599 episodes overall in the Law & Order franchise. Aside from SVU, Benson appears in seven episodes of the original Law & Order, one episode of Law & Order: Trial by Jury, and 14 episodes of Law & Order: Organized Crime.

Benson has also made special appearances in Dick Wolf’s One Chicago franchise, guest-starring in episodes of Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire. Thus, Olivia’s long-standing tenure and reputation have made her a powerful presence not only on SVU but in other shows, as she works with other officers, like Sergeant Hank Voight’s Intelligence unit, in certain cases.

As Law & Order: SVU season 27 airs this fall, Benson’s continuous work as police captain and mother will surely keep her busy, along with her renewed partnership with Amanda Rollins. And if Hargitay keeps on portraying Benson for more seasons in the years to come, she’ll extend her streak even further as the longest-running primetime character in TV history.

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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Release Date

September 20, 1999

Showrunner

Michael S. Chernuchin, David Graziano

Directors

Jean de Segonzac, David Platt, Peter Leto, Alex Chapple, Juan José Campanella, Norberto Barba, Constantine Makris, Martha Mitchell, Arthur W. Forney, Michael Slovis, Steve Shill, Alex Zakrzewski, Michael Pressman, Helen Shaver, Mariska Hargitay, Michael Smith, Ted Kotcheff, Fred Berner, Jonathan Kaplan, Holly Dale, Jonathan Herron, Jud Taylor, Adam Bernstein, Jim McKay

Writers

Judith McCreary, David Graziano, Michael S. Chernuchin, Daniel Truly, Jonathan Greene, Amanda Green, Lisa Marie Petersen, Allison Intrieri, Lawrence Kaplow, Jose Molina, Matt Klypka, Michael R. Perry, Samantha Corbin-Miller, Barbie Kligman, Robert F. Campbell, Candice Sanchez McFarlane, Gwendolyn M. Parker, René Balcer, Robert Nathan, Wendy West, Speed Weed, Ryan Causey, Chris Brancato, Christos N. Gage

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  Mariska Hargitay

  Olivia Benson

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  Ice-T

  Odafin ‘Fin’ Tutuola