On Law & Order: SVU‘s 27-year run, Peter Scanavino reveals Mariska Hargitay as the ultimate abuser of levity, talks about the show’s unique capacity to constantly reinvent itself, and he praises Hargitay as a genuine inspiration both on set and in life. This backstage glimpse explains why SVU continues to dominate TV crime drama.
The Playful Heart of the Special Victims Unit
After 27 seasons, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit still manages to infuse humor between the harrowing cases. At the franchise’s 25th Anniversary Celebration in January, Peter Scanavino—who has portrayed A.D.A. Dominick “Sonny” Carisi Jr. since 2014—opened up exclusively about who keeps the mood light behind the scenes.
Mariska Hargitay, the actress who has portrayed Captain Olivia Benson for nearly three decades, holding the Guinness World Record for longest-running primetime drama character, was crowned the funniest cast member. “I might give it to Mariska,” Scanavino confessed, per an interview with People. “But yeah, we keep it light when we can and serious when we have to.”
More Than a Joke: The Emotional Anchor of the Show
Hargitay’s ability to balance the weight of each case with warmth isn’t just playful—it’s integral to the series’ soul. Scanavino has repeatedly praised her approach, telling People in 2024 that she is “a very playful person” who is “totally collaborative” and “open to whatever,” qualities that carry over into her parenting and friendships. “She’s a really inquisitive, strong person that’s open to all kinds of different things,” he shared. “I have a few role models in my life as a parent, and she’s definitely one of them.”
A Dynamic That Feels Like Family
“When it’s cold outside and it’s raining and it’s snowing, it gets old,” Scanavino admits with a laugh. “But when it’s warm and with your friends, no, no— it never does.” The camaraderie extends beyond humor; it’s built on mutual growth. “It’s a show that keeps reinventing itself,” Scanavino explains, “and we keep reinventing ourselves. They give us the space to grow as characters.”
The Secret to a 27-Season Marathon: One Case at a Time
While other shows fade after five seasons, SVU thrives. The key, Scanavino suggests, is in the show’s alchemy of structure and freedom. “It’s a really interesting job in that I’ve been on the show for a long time, but it doesn’t feel like it’s the same thing every day at all,” he reflects. The balance of gritty storytelling and on-set joy creates a workplace that still feels fresh, even after hundreds of episodes.
A Legacy Written in Case Files—and Laughter
As Law & Order: SVU continues to break records, it’s easy to focus on the числа: 27 seasons, over 500 episodes, generations of fans. But the human story—of a cast that turns tense scripts into a daily dance of humor and heart—is the foundation. And it starts with Captain Benson, who cracks jokes between crime scenes, reminding the world that even in shadows, light has a voice.
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