As the 27th season of *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* comes to a close, Kelli Giddish has expressed her enthusiasm for her long-time colleague, Mariska Hargitay, who is set to make her Broadway debut in the play *Every Brilliant Thing*. Giddish, who plays Sergeant Amanda Rollins on the hit show, recently made these remarks during an interview with PEOPLE magazine, highlighting the deep bond the cast shares both on and off screen.
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Giddish, aged 46, revealed her excitement about Hargitay’s upcoming performance, saying, “I’m so excited for her. I was there the night she was like, ‘I’m in a play! I got a play!’ And I was like, ‘Yes, that’s great!’ The whole set was buzzing with enthusiasm.” The two friends are looking forward to the special occasion that marks Hargitay’s theatrical venture.
Beginning on May 26, Hargitay will take the stage in *Every Brilliant Thing*, succeeding Daniel Radcliffe, who will wrap up his time in the role on May 24. The show’s season finale aired on May 14, shortly after filming for the latest season concluded in April. Despite the end of their daily collaboration on set, Giddish has made a point of keeping the spirit of their friendship alive by sending Hargitay light-hearted messages, like a video of her son “to keep her entertained” during her rigorous rehearsal schedule.
Kelli Giddish’s connection with Mariska Hargitay dates back to 2011, when Giddish joined the series following the exit of Christopher Meloni’s character, Elliot Stabler. Though Giddish departed from the show in December 2022, she made guest appearances in subsequent seasons before returning as a regular for the latest series. In contrast, Hargitay has been a stalwart presence on *SVU* since its inception in 1999.
Reflecting on their time together, Giddish remarked on the rarity of maintaining long-term relationships in the industry. “A lot of times in this world, you don’t get to know people for that long,” she pointed out. “With this show, it’s really cool because you’re constantly with the same people, creating a unique bond that you don’t get in other projects.”
Watching Hargitay transition to the stage has also rekindled Giddish’s own passion for theatre. The actress recalled her ambitious move to New York at the age of 22, where she briefly performed in a Broadway show before it unfortunately closed during its previews, leaving her with a lingering desire to return to the stage. “When you’re in your 20s, you do a lot of black box theatre. I did so much of that. It was such fun working on material day in and day out,” Giddish recounted, expressing her hope to find a theatre role in the future.
Mariska Hargitay’s new role in *Every Brilliant Thing* is highly anticipated, and tickets for the show are already available for purchase. As fans and critics alike await her performance, it is clear that Giddish’s support signifies the strong camaraderie among the cast of *SVU*.
For fans eager to catch up on Giddish’s stint as Rollins or to see Hargitay shine in her new theatrical role, all episodes of *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* are available for streaming on Peacock. The anticipation surrounding the opening of *Every Brilliant Thing* not only marks a new chapter for Hargitay but also offers a glimpse into the cherished friendships that have flourished amidst the dynamic world of television and theatre.