Summary

• Mariska Hargitay tried hard to keep Kelli Giddish on Law & Order: SVU but failed.
• Giddish's exit after 11 years of playing Amanda Rollins surprised fans, as she did not willingly leave.
• Hargitay praises Giddish as her favorite co-star, expressing disappointment at not having more influence on her exit.

Mariska Hargitay explains why she could not prevent Kelli Giddish’s exit from spinoff series Law & Order: Organized Crime.

As reported by Variety, Hargitay opens up about Giddish’s exit. According to the actor, she fought to keep Giddish on the show, but was not successful. Hargitay went on to praise Giddish, calling her “[her] favorite actor to work with” and “[her] heart.” Check out the full quote from Hargitay below:

Kelli is my favorite actor to work with. Kelli is my heart. It’s a sore subject. I have a lot of say on the show, but I didn’t have enough there.

I don’t like not being listened to, especially when I’m right. That relationship was one of the most powerful relationships in television because you saw these two badass women, so flawed and so there for each other.

Kelli Giddish’s Law & Order Exit Explained

Rollins' Departure Was Met With Much Controversy From Fans

Giddish played Amanda Rollins on Law & Order: SVU for 11 years, beginning in season 13 and ending in season 24, episode 9. Her departure from the series was announced partway through season 24, much to the surprise of many fans. Even more surprising, perhaps, was the fact that it later became clear that Giddish did not willingly leave the show. Rather, Giddish was pushed out due to salary disputes wherein she was unable to negotiate for proper compensation. Understandably, this decision then led to widespread controversy and outrage among fans, who considered her leave unjust.

Hargitay’s recent statement is not the first time that she has spoken out in favor of her co-star. In September 2022, the Law & Order: SVU star praised Giddish, calling her “one of [her] favorite actors that [she’s] ever worked with.” She also said that she would miss having Giddish by her side, for her depature was a “hard one.” Like her most recent quote, Hargitay talked about the strength of Amanda Rollins as a character, saying that “she was somebody that really took care of [Olivia Benson] and had [her] back.”

Since leaving Law & Order: SVU as a main cast member, Giddish has returned as Rollins three separate times. This includes season 24, episode 22, “All Pain is One Malady,” season 25, episode 1, “Tunnel Blind,” and the episode “Prima Nocta,” which premieres on May 2. The return of Rollins to the SVU scene is proof that the character is still highly relevant in the show. As it turns out, Rollins would still be a regular if Hargitay had a bigger say in the matter.

Law & Order: SVU season 25 airs episodes weekly on Thursdays at 9pm EST on NBC.

Source: Variety