Joyful Heart in the News

She’s simply arresting.

Mariska Hargitay, who plays tough as nails Det. Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: SVU,” expresses only one concern during a wide-ranging interview. She doesn’t want to take credit for one of the most seismic shifts on TV — the rise of tough, compassionate, and drop-dead gorgeous lead women in traditionally male-dominated crime dramas, like “CSI” “The Closer” and of course “Scandal.”

“Olivia opened the door,” Hargitay says. “At the time, I don’t remember any other characters like that. I am very excited and happy when I see other characters like this. I say the more the merrier, baby. I don’t want it to be an anomaly. Let there be all strong, amazing women and I am so happy to know there is an appetite now.”

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