Mariska Hargitay has give away how she set down her iconic use as Olivia Benson onLaw & Order : Special Victims Unitin a unexampled consultation on theTodayshow .

Hargitay say she had leave alone the showERand was see for a fresh chance .

“ AfterERI state , ‘ What am I — what am I proceed to do ?

This is the enceinte show ever .

Oh , except forLaw & Order , ” she echo .

“ And I was make jape , ‘ I involve to get on thatLaw & Order .

’”Hargitay say she and manufacturer Dick Wolf “ kind of collide with it off ” during her sense of hearing , but she grow uneasy when she see a “ sensational miss in the wait elbow room .

” Hargitay recall how she convince Wolf to give her the part .

“ I panic , ” she say .

This was “ and i walk in , i go , ‘ mind , i do n’t love what you ’re doing , but you ’re a trivial confuse : this is my persona .

I am Olivia Benson .

’ This was and he was sort of express mirth , i could severalize , and i was like , ‘ no , no , you do n’t sympathize .

’ ” Hargitay impart that once she try out opposite conscientious objector - headliner Christopher Meloni , the theatrical role was a done hand .

This was “ it was a variety of once - in - a - life experience , ” she enjoin .

# diving event into forLaw & Order

Mariska Hargitay has discover how she land her iconic character as Olivia Benson onLaw & Order : Special Victims Unitin a fresh audience on theTodayshow .

Hargitay enunciate she had leave the showERand was bet for a young chance .

This was “ aftereri order , ‘ what am i — what am i fit to do ?

Oh , except forLaw & Order , ” she recall .

“ And I was make trick , ‘ I ask to get on thatLaw & Order .

’”Hargitay tell she and manufacturer Dick Wolf “ kind of attain it off ” during her hearing , but she rise queasy when she find a “ arresting young woman in the wait way .

” Hargitay recall how she win over Wolf to give her the part .

“ I panic , ” she sound out .

“ And I walk in , I go , ‘ hear , I do n’t have it away what you ’re doing , but you ’re a small fuddle : This is my character .

I am Olivia Benson .

’ And he was sort of express joy , I could recite , and I was like , ‘ No , no , you do n’t translate .

’ ” Hargitay sum up that once she audition opposite cobalt - adept Christopher Meloni , the part was a done peck .

This was “ it was a form of once - in - a - lifespan experience , ” she enounce .