Mariska Hargitay Leads Law & Order Reunion at 2025 Emmy Awards

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 15, 2025 - Mariska Hargitay headlined a nostalgic Law & Order ensemble at yesterday’s Emmy ceremony, reuniting original and spinoff cast members to honor the franchise’s 35th anniversary and present the Outstanding Drama Series award.

The Law & Order icon joined Christopher Meloni, Ice-T, S. Epatha Merkerson and Tony Goldwyn onstage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 14, underscoring her 27-year tenure as Olivia Benson and celebrating decades of television drama. Her red-velvet, mermaid-silhouette gown and poised presence set the tone for a tribute to one of TV’s longest-running franchises.

Nut Graf

Hargitay’s appearance wasn’t just a fashion moment-it marked a heartfelt homage to a franchise that reshaped procedural drama and cemented her character as a cultural touchstone. Bringing together cast across three decades, the reunion highlighted both the series’ enduring legacy and her personal impact on storytelling in the genre.

A Night of Tributes

  • Dream Team Reunion: Meloni joked, “We are your Law & Order dream team-icons, veterans, survivors of countless rooftop chases.”
  • Record-Setting Streak: Merkerson quipped that Benson’s run “spans longer than some of you have been in therapy because of SVU.”
  • Playful Roast: Ice-T referenced the franchise’s iconic “dun-dun” theme as “the sound my phone makes when Mariska calls me.”

Hargitay’s Red Carpet Moment

Hargitay stunned in a strapless burgundy velvet gown, styled with voluminous waves and tiered diamond earrings. Social media buzzed over her classic makeup and hourglass silhouette, with fans praising her as “picture-perfect” and “timeless” on X and Instagram.

Franchise Milestones

  • 35 Years On Air: From the original 1990 premiere to today’s spinoffs, Law & Order boasts seven series, 52 Emmy nominations and six wins.
  • SVU’s Longevity: Debuting in 1999, SVU leads the franchise with 27 consecutive seasons and counting.
  • Spinoff Success: Meloni’s Organized Crime launched in 2021, reuniting on-screen partners and expanding the universe.

Looking Ahead

As the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series went to the new medical drama The Pitt, Hargitay’s moment underscored why Law & Order remains a benchmark for procedural storytelling-and why her portrayal of Olivia Benson continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.