Sneak peek: Behind-the-scenes photos of Mariska Hargitay's directorial debut

NEW YORK, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Longtime Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay will take a turn in the director's chair and make her directorial debut in an upcoming episode of the show.

The actress expressed to E! News in January that for her, directing had been "...a long time coming; I've wanted to do it for a while... It feels like a natural progression."

Executive producer Warren Leight tweeted this behind-the-scenes photo of Hargitay hard at work:

First look: Mariska in charge. Day 1 pic.twitter.com/GxxldME39E

— Warren Leight (@warrenleightTV) February 20, 2014

Script supervisor Stephanie Marquardt also tweeted a photo of Hargitay discussing a scene with Danny Pino, this time as the director and not his costar:

@TheDannyPino discussing scene w @Mariska #thatsNotBenson #MariskasDirecting #bts #svu pic.twitter.com/xMnHtKvWHh

— Stephanie Marquardt (@Samarq521) February 20, 2014

Hard-core Hargitay fans have been using the hashtag #CecilBHargitay in support.

Alec Baldwin will guest star, in his first TV turn since 30 Rock. The spring premiere date for the Hargitay-directed episode has not yet been set.

[E! News]