Is Mariska Hargitay legally bound to only portray Olivia Benson on screen and film?

[TMC]

When is the last time you’ve seen her in anything outside the Law & Order universe. It appears that most recently was 20-odd years ago on a TV movie of a Jodi Picoult novel with Alison Pill. Mariska was the cop, Alison was the Amish girl who either killed her baby or pretended she had an immaculate conception.

Then again, I can probably guarantee you that no other acting job she takes, will pay her nearly as much as Law and Order: SVU.

AI Overview

Mariska Hargitay's salary for Law & Order: SVU is reported to be around $750,000 per episode, including her acting, producing, and syndication profits, according to a March 2025 report by Forbes. She is considered one of the highest-paid actors on television, and her total earnings for the show can reach $29 million annually, including syndication royalties.