Why did Olivia Benson leave in season 8?

But once her belly was no longer small enough to hide, the writers decided to send Olivia "away on assignment" while the actress took a much-needed maternity break from the show.

Why was Olivia absent in season 8?

Production. The eighth season began filming when Mariska Hargitay was in the final stages of her pregnancy. As a result, two episodes "Informed" and "Scheherazade" made use of desks, folders, and headshots to disguise Benson's abdomen.

Why did Olivia Benson take a break from SVU?

During the last months of her pregnancy in 2006, Hargitay took maternity leave from SVU, and was temporarily replaced by Connie Nielsen.

What episode does Olivia Benson come back?

(SVU: "PTSD"). At the end of the season 14 finale "Her Negotiation", Benson is kidnapped by serial rapist/murderer William Lewis. She returns to work in the following episode, "Imprisoned Lives", which takes place two months later, but is still haunted by the experience.

Did Olivia Benson leave SVU?

Actress Mariska Hargitay, who's been with the show since its inception, is on the record saying that she's “in it for the long haul.” While we will likely continue to see Benson on Organized Crime intermittently (and Stabler is expected back on SVU), we shouldn't expect that Mariska will be leaving the show she's been ...

Best of Olivia Benson | Season 8

How did Mariska Hargitay leave ER?

Hargitay made her last appearance as Cynthia Hooper in Season 4 Episode 16 titled "My Brother's Keeper." When Greene returns to Chicago, he finds out that his now ex-girlfriend has moved and quit her job at the hospital. He tries to win her back at her new apartment, but Cynthia turns him down. They break up for good.

Did Olivia and Elliot ever sleep together?

He melted down in front of Benson, and it turned out the pair did sleep together when she was just 16 (in case you weren't sure).

Why did Munch leave SVU?

And if you want to know why Belzer left the series, it seems the actor's age forced an earlier retirement than some may have expected for his fan-favorite "SVU" character.

Why did Demore Barnes leave SVU?

Barnes' Garland had left his job after disagreeing with higher-ups about the way police misconduct was being handled in a controversial case. Barnes was recently spotted filming scenes in NYC for the drama series, leading to questions about his return, first reported by Give Me My Remote.

Are Olivia and Barba dating?

Now that they're no longer working together, it might even make it easier for them to pursue a romantic connection without letting work get in the way. Mariska also said, “He is free, and I think he's got eyes for me. But Olivia Benson is hurt! I mean, he left me in a lurch for 10 years.

Was Mariska Hargitay pregnant season 8?

The explanation turned out to be much simpler: Mariska was pregnant. The eighth season began filming during the final stages of her pregnancy and to hide it, the crew made ample use of desks, folders, and closeups to obstruct her baby belly.

Has Mariska Hargitay ever missed an episode of SVU?

Mariska Hargitay has only missed nine episodes of SVU

She missed a handful of episodes in season 7 because she was pregnant with her first child (per Distractify). Once Hargitay returned from maternity leave, she jumped right back into the role and the rest is history.

Why did Olivia and Stabler stop being partners in season 7?

Upset with Stabler after a violent altercation with a pedophile, Benson briefly transferred to computer crimes in season 7, and Stabler worked with a new partner (Dani Beck, played by Connie Nielsen) while Benson was undercover in Oregon in season 8 — but in the end, the two always came back together.

Why did Mariska Hargitay adopt?

Hargitay told Good Housekeeping in 2012 that she chose to adopt because she and Herman always “envisioned” a “big family” but didn't know if she could become pregnant again. “August wanted siblings, and Peter and I both envisioned this big family because we both come from that.

Why did Dani Beck replace Olivia?

Behind the scenes. Nielsen was cast to replace Mariska Hargitay, who plays Olivia Benson, while the latter was on maternity leave.

Why does Olivia leave the Waltons?

Her character's abrupt disappearance was explained by Olivia developing tuberculosis and entering a sanatorium in Arizona. She made occasional guest appearances until the show's cancellation and later appeared in four of the six Waltons reunion movies made during the 1980s and 1990s.

Why did cat and Garland leave SVU?

While ethical issues were what made Kat want to leave, it was internal politics that made Garland hand in his resignation.

Why did Kat leave law and order?

The decision was made above my pay grade, and wouldn't have been my choice. But hey — that's show biz for ya." A couple months later, Hyder elaborated on her "SVU" departure in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, when asked how she felt about the end of Kat's time on the series.

Who got fired from SVU?

Warren Leight is leaving Law & Order: SVU after serving as an executive producer and showrunner on the venerable NBC crime drama for the past three seasons.

Why did Casey Novak leave SVU?

Per E! News, Neal's character, assistance district attorney Casey Novak, left the show in Season 9 after violating due process. She returned briefly in Seasons 12 and 13. At the time of her departure, a spokesperson told Cinema Blend, "Diane spent five years on 'SVU' and was a tremendous addition to the 'SVU' team.

Why is Munch not on SVU season 9?

While neither the actor nor the show revealed why Munch had left SVU, after actor Dann Florek who played Captain Cragen also left the series some months later, it was revealed that the reason behind both actors leaving was the NYPD's real-life mandatory retirement age, which is 63.

Why did Nick leave SVU?

He reveals to Benson that he intends to retire from the NYPD because of his inability to move up the ranks, in addition to his injuries.

What happened to Stabler's wife?

In the Season 22 episode "Return of the Prodigal Son", Kathy is severely injured in a car bombing, and later dies in hospital when her spleen ruptures. Her death leads Stabler to join the Organized Crime Control Bureau.

What episode does Olivia kiss Elliot?

"Zebras" is the twenty-second episode and season finale of the tenth season of the police procedural television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and the show's 224th episode overall.

What was in the letter Stabler give Benson?

The letter in question was revealed after Stabler was drugged during his undercover op. It was Kathy's idea, he revealed to Benson, and she helped dictate. Everything about how “what we were to each other was never real and that we got in the way of each other being who and where we needed to be?” Benson asked.