Mariska Hargitay wants to remain on 'Law & Order: SVU' season 21

Pioneer star of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Mariska Hargitay expressed her desire to remain on the show as long as possible. She said she’s looking forward to the 21st season.

The NBC show will be stepping on a big milestone when it returns in the fall for its 20th season since it will be tying with Gunsmoke and the original show, Law & Order, as the longest-running primetime drama on television.

The production team knows how crucial the 21st season would be, but for Hargitay, who is a longtime series star of the show, she is confident that the show would go beyond that.

She said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that the Dick Wolf drama could go on for many more years.

Hargitay said, "I'm in it for the long haul. I said, 'You keep writing like this, I'll stay for 25 years.' Why would I leave? I’m so grateful"

In addition, the network seems to be as committed as the star as well. In fact, NBC Entertainment President Robert Greenblatt shared that they have been working on making sure the show continues to air as long as Hargitay remains on SVU.

Hargitay mentioned showrunner Michael Chernuchin and the writers as the people who keep her excited for the show’s future.

She also expressed how proud she is of the show for discussing world issues such as sexual assault and harassment.

Hargitay was emotional when she said, "I think Dick is a pioneer at bringing these issues to the forefront. The issue had been swept under the carpet, and the fact is from every angle, it is a show that respects its audience.”

The actress said she was honored to be given the opportunity to belong in a show that “makes these issues palatable and these characters we can trust that can usher you through the most sensitive, tender, delicate places in our souls.”

Hargitay also shared how happy she was of the fact that the show became a platform for her to prove that a woman can be capable of everything that a man can do. For more stories about Law & Order: SVU or Hargitay, visit our Twitter account, @amomama_usa.