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“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” made its television debut in 1999 and quickly established itself as one of the premier crime dramas. Meanwhile, that same year, the beloved sitcom “Friends” was embarking on its sixth season, solidifying its status as a cultural phenomenon. Interestingly, both shows might have taken a different path if fate had intervened, according to Mariska Hargitay of “SVU.” In 2025, she disclosed that she had auditioned for the role of Monica Geller in the early ’90s. Remarkably, she tried out for the role multiple times before her breakthrough with “SVU.”
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“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” debuted in 1999 and quickly became one of the best crime shows of all time. That same year, sitcom juggernaut “Friends” launched its sixth season, where it was already among the most beloved TV comedies ever made. But both shows might have looked very different, according to “SVU” star Mariska Hargitay. She revealed in 2025 that she auditioned for the role of Monica Geller back in the early ’90s. In fact, she says she auditioned more than once, testing for the role years before her shot at “SVU.”
Hargitay’s film and television appearances during the mid-’90s, including roles in “Seinfeld,” “The Single Guy,” and “Ellen,” highlight her aspirations in comedy. “I always imagined myself in a sitcom or doing comedy,” Hargitay shared. Had she landed the role of Monica Geller, it likely would have cemented her place in comedic television and significantly altered her path in Hollywood.
Ultimately, it was Courtney Cox, known for “Masters of the Universe,” who secured the Monica role. She reportedly advocated for the character of Monica after initially being considered for Rachel Green, a role that eventually went to Jennifer Aniston.
Ultimately, of course, it was “Masters of the Universe” star Courtney Cox who got the role, reportedly requesting the role of Monica after being offered the part of Rachel Green. Green later went to Jennifer Aniston.
Reflecting on her journey, Hargitay mentioned that her initial introduction to “SVU” came with a warning from her agent, who felt the show’s dark nature might not suit her. “When I got the script for ‘SVU,’ my manager said, ‘I don’t think you’ll like it, it’s very dark.’ Given my comedy leanings at the time, I understood his hesitation,” she explained. However, her interest piqued as she learned more about the series. “As soon as I read ‘SVU’—then titled ‘Sex Crimes’—I was hooked. I knew it was my role. I loved it and wanted it more than anything.”
Comedy nearly cost Mariska Hargitay her career-defining role
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Hargitay, who holds a unique record within the “Law & Order” franchise, passionately pursued the role of Olivia Benson, eventually securing the part. This opportunity not only shaped her career but also transformed her life.
According to Hargitay, when she was first told about the role by her agent, she was told it probably wasn’t a good fit. “When I got the audition for ‘SVU,’ my manager called me and he goes, ‘listen, I got a script for you, I don’t think you’re gonna like it, it’s very dark.’ And I understood why he said that because … I was leaning towards comedy at the time.” But once she was told more about the series, the actress wasn’t turned off, but intrigued. “Then I read ‘SVU’ — it was called ‘Sex Crimes’ at the time — and I was like, sold, done, I knew it was my part. … I loved it, it was so right, I never wanted anything more.”
Hargitay, who holds an oddly specific “Law & Order” record, auditioned hard for the part of Benson, and eventually got the job. It’s a role that has not only made her career, it changed her life forever.
