Capt. Olivia Benson isn’t keeping this one close to the vest.
A costume worn by the “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” character, played by actor Mariska Hargitay, is now part of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History collection.
Hargitay and SVU creator and executive producer Dick Wolf presented the donation, which included a blue leather blazer suit and gold badge, to the Washington, D.C., museum at an event on Sept. 9.
“Law & Order: SVU” actress and producer Mariska Hargitay and show creator Dick Wolf presented one of character Olivia Benson’s costumes to the Smithsonian this week. instagram/smithsonianHargitay, wore the ensemble in Season 25, Episode 8, “Third Man Syndrome,” which aired in March, the museum said in a press release.
The gift also included the shirt, jeans, belt, pair of boots and earrings she donned in the episode.
“We collect costumes from television and entertainment history because they help us to talk to visitors about important series that have shaped national debates, shaped people’s identities, helped them to understand the world around them,” museum curator Ryan Lintelman explained in an Instagram video.
“In the case of ‘Law & Order: SVU,’ there’s so much to be said about the justice system, about sexual violence, about survivors and how they heal,” he continued. “This show really helps Americans understand that and have more empathy for those people and those situations.”
Anthea Hartig, director of the National Museum of American History, said Hargitay has done “invaluable work in destigmatizing and advocating for women and all sexual assault survivors,” on and off the screen.
Hargitay’s iconic character, who premiered in 1999, is depicted as a passionate NYPD detective advocating for victims of rape, sexual violence, child abuse and human trafficking.
She founded the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004, which supports survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse, and has fought to end the backlog of untested rape kits in the US.
The SVU costume includes a shirt, jeans, belt, blazer, pair of boots, earrings and a gold detective’s shield, seen above. instagram/smithsonian“I am extremely proud and extremely honored,” Hargitay, who is also a producer on the show, said in the Instagram video. “The act of listening to survivors is taking its vital place at the Smithsonian and is part of the American story.”
“Am I allowed to touch it? No,” she added. Even she had to put gloves on to touch the costume, according to the post.
“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” is the longest-running scripted drama on US primetime television and Benson is the longest-running drama character on primetime, the museum’s release stated.
The hit show has received 108 television award nominations and won 33 awards, including six Emmy Awards and three People’s Choice Awards.
Off the screen, Hargitay trained as a rape crisis counselor and started a nonprofit, the Joyful Heart Foundation, to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Jose Perez / SplashNews.comViewers were excited to learn of the museum’s latest addition.
“So cool! I go there a lot! Can’t wait to go again now,” one filmmaker commented on Instagram.
Others critiqued the fashion choice.
“That was the worst [outfit] they could have chosen. What about her iconic black leather jacket?” said one fan.
In addition to Benson’s costume, the National Museum of American History’s collection includes Elizabeth Moss’ striking Offred costume from “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a collection of “Mad Men” objects, several characters’ costumes from “The Big Bang Theory,” Dorothy’s ruby red slippers and Mr. Rogers’ sweater.
