The Ultimate Benson Binge: ‘SVU’ Mariska Hargitay Marathon Set for September
NBC Celebrates Mariska Hargitay with Special "Law & Order: SVU" Marathon
What’s Happening?
NBC is throwing a TV party for one of television’s most beloved detectives! On September 10, the network will air three special episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit back-to-back to honor Mariska Hargitay, who has played Captain Olivia Benson since the show began in 1999.
Important Point: This marathon happens just four days before the 2026 Emmy Awards, where Hargitay will make history as the first woman to host the ceremony in 15 years!
The Marathon Lineup
Mark your calendars for September 10 — here are the three episodes airing in a row:
| Time (ET) | Episode Title | Special Note | Original Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 PM | "Charisma" | Emmy-nominated performance | November 16, 2004 |
| 9:00 PM | "911" | Emmy-WINNING performance | October 4, 2005 |
| 10:00 PM | "Undercover" | Emmy-nominated performance | April 15, 2008 |
Fun Fact: The 9:00 PM episode, "911," is the one where Hargitay won her Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series!
Why Mariska Hargitay Is a Big Deal
Hargitay isn’t just an actress on the show — she’s practically the heart and soul of SVU. Here’s her impressive track record:
- 25+ years as Captain Olivia Benson (since the show launched in 1999)
- 8 Emmy nominations for her role as Benson
- 2 Golden Globe nominations — and 1 WIN!
- Now also serves as:
- Executive Producer (helps run the show behind the scenes)
- Director (she directs episodes too!)
Beyond SVU: Award-Winning Documentarian
Hargitay’s talent goes beyond acting. Her documentary "My Mom Jayne" earned her two more Emmy nominations:
- Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special
- Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program
What’s Next for SVU?
The show isn’t slowing down anytime soon!
- Season 28 premieres October 8 — that’s 28 full seasons!
- The 600th episode will air later this year (a massive milestone!)
- Missed an episode? No problem — new episodes stream on Peacock the very next day
Who Makes the Show?
Law & Order: SVU is a team effort. The executive producers include:
- Dick Wolf (creator of the entire Law & Order universe)
- Michele Fazekas
- Mariska Hargitay (yes, she produces it too!)
- Ken Brown
- Rebecca McGill
- Anastasia Puglisi
- Peter Jankowski
The show is produced by Universal Television in association with Wolf Entertainment.
Summary
- NBC airs a 3-episode SVU marathon on Sept. 10 honoring Mariska Hargitay
- Episodes feature her Emmy win ("911") and two Emmy-nominated performances
- Marathon leads into the 2026 Emmy Awards (Sept. 14), where Hargitay hosts — first woman in 15 years
- Hargitay has played Captain Benson since 1999 with 8 Emmy noms, 1 Golden Globe win
- She now produces and directs on the show too
- Her documentary "My Mom Jayne" earned 2 more Emmy nominations
- Season 28 starts Oct. 8 — 600th episode coming soon!
- New episodes on Peacock next day
FAQ
Q: When exactly is the marathon airing?
A: Wednesday, September 10, starting at 8:00 PM ET with three episodes back-to-back.
Q: Why these three specific episodes?
A: They showcase Mariska Hargitay’s Emmy-winning performance ("911") and two other Emmy-nominated performances ("Charisma" and "Undercover").
Q: Can I watch if I don’t have cable?
A: Yes! New episodes stream on Peacock the day after they air on NBC. The marathon episodes may also be available there.
Q: How long has Mariska Hargitay been on SVU?
A: Since the very beginning! She’s played Captain Olivia Benson since 1999 — that’s over 25 years.
Q: Is this the final season of SVU?
A: Not at all! Season 28 starts October 8, and the show will hit its 600th episode this year. It’s still going strong!
Don’t Miss It: Tune in September 10 at 8 PM ET on NBC to celebrate a TV icon and watch some of the best SVU episodes ever made!