As Law & Order: Special Victims Unit gears up for its historic Season 28 premiere on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, franchise veteran Kelli Giddish is reflecting on the deep-rooted personal and professional bond she shares with co-star Mariska Hargitay. Reaching its monumental 600th episode, the long-running procedural continues to anchor its legacy heavily on the powerful female dynamic between Captain Olivia Benson and Detective Amanda Rollins.
Giddish, 46, first stepped into the squad room as Rollins back in 2011 during Season 13. While her departure in 2022 sparked immediate fan backlash and widespread petitions that ultimately paved the way for her full-time return in Season 27, her relationship with Hargitay has remained a consistent cornerstone throughout the years. According to Giddish, navigating the close-knit, high-pressure environment of the long-running NBC series comes with unique traditions-including a foolproof initiation rite.
The Organic Evolution of an On-Screen Sisterhood
Speaking with media outlets and talk show hosts, Giddish explained that Hargitay’s trademark teasing is actually a badge of honor for newcomers joining the SVU family. “If she’s kidding with you, you’re in,” Giddish shared. “She does a lot of schtick on set and gives it to people. And you know if she’s teasing you that you’re part of the family.”
That genuine camaraderie directly mirrors the relationship between Benson and Rollins on screen. Giddish has frequently emphasized that the strong female friendship depicted on television was never forced by writers; rather, it was forged over time through shared hardships, professional friction, and eventual redemption.
“It was earned on-screen, it was earned off-screen, and we’re such great friends,” Giddish expressed during a previous interview, noting that every step of Rollins’ journey back to trust mirrored her real-life connection with Hargitay.
Balancing Working Motherhood and Life in New York City
Beyond the demanding production schedule of television’s longest-running primetime drama, both Giddish and Hargitay share real-life commonalities as working mothers. Giddish is a mother to three sons-Ludo, 10, Charlie, 7, and Oldie, 3-while Hargitay raises three children with her husband, Peter Hermann.
Giddish credits Hargitay as an invaluable source of support and wisdom, turning to her co-star for personal advice, trusted recommendations, and genuine celebration of womanhood. , the longevity of working on a New York City-based production has allowed Giddish to establish roots, enabling her to walk her sons to school every morning-a rare luxury in the demanding entertainment industry.
Looking Ahead to Season 28 and the 600th Episode Milestone
As SVU enters its 28th season under the guidance of series showrunner Michelle Fazekas, viewers can expect a continued exploration of the nuances defining Benson and Rollins’ friendship. With fresh energy surrounding the series-highlighted by recent viral moments, crossovers, and Christopher Meloni’s return as Detective Elliot Stabler for the landmark 600th episode-Giddish remains deeply appreciative of the cultural legacy she helps sustain.
“It’s hard to even let it sink in that we’ve done that,” Giddish said of the upcoming milestone. “To be a part of a legacy is insane.”
