Mariska Hargitay may now be the iconic face of the *Law & Order* franchise, but there was once a time when she teetered on the brink of dismissal for a rather unexpected and whimsical reason.
The actress is about to mark her 27th consecutive season portraying Olivia Benson on the enduring spinoff *Law & Order: SVU*. While it’s nearly impossible to envision the show without her presence, she came perilously close to being let go during the series’ early days. In an interview with *Allure*, Hargitay recounted the incident: she decided to give herself a pixie cut while filming the third season. “My hairstylist had a glass of wine, and I really should have known better,” she admitted with a wry smile. “Maybe he thought I’d be aerodynamic while chasing perps. I honestly have no clue.”
“We went real short—shorter than I’d intended,” Hargitay continued. “I almost got fired.” Even though she now views the look as “effortless, cool, and cop-like” when revisiting old photos, she candidly admitted she would “definitely” go back in time and undo that decision if she could. Fortunately for fans, Hargitay’s job was spared, though it seems the show’s standards were rather stringent back then. Over the years, she has experimented with various hairstyles, but none were as bold or as controversial as that infamous pixie cut.
It’s unclear whether the same situation would arise today if Hargitay decided to switch up her look again, but it might be wise not to test those waters, regardless of her long-standing tenure. That said, viewers will soon be able to see Olivia Benson back in action when *SVU* Season 27 premieres on Thursday, September 25, on NBC. While her hair may not be as short this time around, she’ll undoubtedly be sweeping up the bad guys with her usual vigor—and that’s always a welcome sight.
*SVU* is set to go above and beyond once again in Season 27, and Ice-T recently gave fans a glimpse of what’s to come via Instagram over the summer. He posted a photo of himself looking battered and bruised, seemingly in a hospital bed, after just his first scene back. There’s no telling what twists and turns await in the new season, but even after 27 years, the show continues to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Additionally, the season will see the return of Kelli Giddish in a full-time capacity after her departure during Season 24, proving that even if you leave or face dismissal, there’s always a chance for a comeback. Be sure to tune in to the Season 27 premiere of *SVU* on Thursday, September 25, at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, with streaming available the following day on Peacock.
