She’s spent 16 years catching criminals on “Law & Order: SVU,” she’s an advocate for victims of sexual assault in real life, and now Mariska Hargitay is a two-time “SVU” director. Known best for playing Sgt. Olivia Benson, Hargitay’s second stint in the director’s chair, “Padre Sandunguera,” aired Wednesday night. HuffPost Entertainment caught up with Hargitay to talk about directing the emotional episode, how Benson has changed and surprising moments from “SVU”:
What was it like directing the second time around?
It was amazing. It’s exhilarating and at the same time I’m thinking, “Wait, what am I doing all the way out here on the end of the diving board!” But then you just sort of jump. In a lot of ways I felt much more prepared. It was a very different experience because I learned so much on the first one, and then you get reminded of what 16 years will teach you.
What was the most interesting thing you noticed? After 16 seasons of acting and then to switching to being behind the camera, did you see anything differently?
I trusted myself more in the moment. The first time you want to be so prepared, so in a way I feel like I almost over prepared. The second time I felt so much more relaxed that I came up with more ideas on the set. That was very exciting to me, to actually be present in a new way. As an actor you’re present in the moment, right? I got to infuse a bit that presence behind the camera.
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Are there any updates on your upcoming documentary, “Shelved”? A release date, perhaps?
It’s going great, things are moving along so beautifully. Things are moving faster than we thought they would, in light of all the recent events. So I would say like a year and a half.
“Law & Order: SVU” airs Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. ET on NBC.
