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Olivia Benson is still fun to play, says Mariska Hargitay

"I feel like there's just new notes being played," the actress said. "This year feels so new, and that's exciting."

By Annie Martin
Mariska Hargitay says portraying Olivia Benson on 'Law & Order: SVU' still feels 'new' even after 15 season. (UPI/Jim Ruymen)
1 of 5 | Mariska Hargitay says portraying Olivia Benson on 'Law & Order: SVU' still feels 'new' even after 15 season. (UPI/Jim Ruymen) | License Photo

NEW YORK, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Mariska Hargitay says she still has fun portraying Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU.

The 50-year-old actress has starred on 15 seasons of the NBC series, and will return for a 16th season on Wednesday. Hargitay previewed the new season Tuesday on Today, and told host Hoda Kotb the role still manages to feel "new."

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"[Olivia] is [still fun to play]," the actress confirmed. "That's why I'm still here. I feel like there's just new notes being played, and you know, after last year I was sort of wrecked. Emotionally, it was a very tough year... This year feels so new, and that's exciting. To have a baby, that's a whole other set of muscles and new notes to play."

The season 15 finale saw Benson become foster parent to baby Noah, and season 16 will see the pair's relationship develop. Hargitay teared up as Kotb showed a clip of her character with the child, and said the storyline is "just so sweet."

"The storyline is so moving to me," she shared. "This year is a very different season from last year. Olivia Benson gets this baby plopped in her lap. It's just nothing shy of a miracle to the character."

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The season 16 premiere of Law & Order: SVU will air Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.

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