We’ll feed you, baby birds! We know you’ve been clamoring to know what’s going on with Mariska Hartigay‘s character on Law and Order: SVU, and why it’s happening. We also just let you know that Jennifer Love Hewitt would be taking over her character’s vacant position, because it looks like Hartigay’s is moving on to a lesser role.
The reason for the cut back is that Mariska wants to spend more time with her kids!
Having her character accept a promotion or shift in job title is the perfect way to lessen the hours she has to put into the show:
“I think in the second half of the season, I’m going to go into a different position, which is very exciting. It’ll be quite challenging and different, but I think it’s exciting. Twelve years is a long time and I’ve gotten to really flesh out a lot [of Olivia] and I’m ready to do something a little different, but not ready to say goodbye to Olivia Benson.
“I think that’s the reason we did it this way, and we structured it this way so I could have a little more free time to be a mom — that was the goal. I just think it’s been really great writing and our show has a very strong soul. I think we’ve been really lucky with the casting. We have an incredible cast and we’ve been together a long time and Chris[topher Meloni] and I have been very blessed with the gift of chemistry and everything just clicked… It’s been such a beautiful ride.”
It will be exciting to hear who they actually get to fill the new detective role, though, we still think it’ll be great if they offer it to Jennifer!
Mariska, it’s wonderful to hear that you’ll be able to split your time between Mommy duty and Cop duty. It’s sacrifice like that that’ll prove to be invaluable to your kids and how they grow up! We’re sure they’re going to love seeing you more often.
Good luck with everything in the future, and keep us updated!
[Image via WENN.]