Mariska Hargitay Shocks ‘SVU’ Fans with Unexpected Season 25 Bombshell—You Won’t Believe What’s Next

UPDATED: September 14, 2025 — New York Star of NBC’s long-running drama “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” Mariska Hargitay, is enjoying a red-hot September filled with milestone moments on and off the set. Below is everything fans are searching for right now, including her viral New York Fashion Week appearance, a rare public outing with her teenage daughter, and fresh hints about what’s next for Olivia Benson. Hargitay’s NYFW Gown Sets Social Media Ablaze On September 12, the Emmy-winning actress electrified New York Fashion Week when she arrived at the Bloomingdale’s 150th anniversary gala in a ruby-red, asymmetric gown that featured a daring thigh-high slit. Photos of the look surged across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram within minutes, with style watchers praising the 61-year-old for “owning the carpet” while championing body-positivity at any age. Rare Mother-Daughter Night on Broadway Just two days earlier, Hargitay treated 14-year-old daughter Amaya to a mother-daughter date at the Pulitzer-winning musical “Hamilton.” Fans caught a glimpse of the pair posing backstage with the cast, marking one of Amaya’s few public appearances since being adopted in 2011. The sweet outing comes as Hargitay continues to champion adoption advocacy through her Joyful Heart Foundation. 21 Years of Love With Peter Hermann August 28 marked another milestone: Hargitay’s 21st wedding anniversary with actor-author Peter Hermann. The actress shared a rare carousel of throwback wedding photos and a present-day selfie from their Montauk getaway, calling Hermann “my home” in the caption. The post racked up more than 500 K likes within 24 hours, underscoring her enduring appeal beyond the small screen. Production Heats Up for “SVU” Season 27 Meanwhile, cameras are rolling on Season 27 of “Law & Order: SVU,” and Hargitay confirms she is “not done with Olivia Benson yet.” In a new interview she credits the role with sharpening her real-life crisis-management skills, adding that Benson’s resilience continues to inspire her parenting style. A “Big” 2025 Announcement Teased During NBC’s fall press day, the actress hinted that a “big” announcement is coming later this year, sparking fan theories ranging from a Benson-Stabler spin-off to a directorial debut. Network sources remain tight-lipped, but insiders note Hargitay has directed nine SVU episodes to date, making a larger creative role a plausible next step. Why the Buzz Matters Search volume for “Mariska Hargitay” has nearly tripled week-over-week, driven by her high-profile fashion moment, family sightings, and unresolved cliff-hangers heading into SVU’s landmark 27th season. For die-hard #BensonFans and casual viewers alike, September proves the perfect time to catch up on her off-screen life before the new episodes hit Peacock and NBC this fall. What’s Next Expect further social media fireworks when Hargitay steps onto the Primetime Emmy red carpet later this month and, of course, when she finally reveals that cryptic announcement. Until then, Olivia Benson devotees can stream Seasons 1-26 on Peacock—and keep refreshing those feeds for the next must-see Hargitay headline.