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This time last year, a tabloid claimed Mariska Hargitay would be leaving Law & Order: SVU. Although the outlet stuck to an “anonymous source,” Gossip Cop investigated the rumor. We found it to be completely fictional, and time has proven the actress hasn’t left the hit series.
Twelve months ago, the National Enquirer published a story claiming Hargitay was quitting her TV show, moving to Los Angeles and pursuing a movie career. According to the tabloid’s unknown source, the actress felt like “she’s done all she can” on SVU and that the film world would be “the next chapter of her life.”
The alleged insider even claimed that NBC would put together a “well-planned” departure plan that would give Hargitay a chance to say goodbye to Detective Olivia Benson. The actress was so invested in her role, the source said, that she was going through the same traumas that actual members of the police force go through, bringing her to a “breaking point.”
The tabloid’s discussion of Hargitay’s career spiraled into a commentary on her personal life as well. The suspicious source said Hargitay’s cross-country move could impact her relationship with husband and fellow actor Peter Hermann, who also shoots a TV series in New York. “Only time will tell how it will affect their home life,” the source teased.
As we pointed out at the time, Hargitay made it clear that she was hoping to remain with SVU for as long as possible and that she’s grateful to work on the show. Still, Gossip Cop reached out to the actress’s spokesperson, who assured us she wasn’t going anywhere. In reality, Hargitay’s character got promoted to Commanding Officer of the NYPD 16th Precinct in the Season 21 opener — and the photo above is the actress showing off her “21” necklace at the premiere of the show’s 21st season. Time has revealed just how unreliable tabloid “sources” can be.
Additionally, Hargitay recently reiterated how much she values getting to play Benson in an interview with E! News. “I am so grateful and in love with this character that I am so blessed to play,” she told the outlet. “I feel very privileged and blessed to have grown in this character and get to affect as many people as I have been privileged to affect in my life.” While Gossip Cop can’t speculate about the character’s future or how long Hargitay will continue to work on the show, we’re confident those answers won’t come from the tabloids.
Our Verdict
Gossip Cop has determined this story is totally false.