Fans of *Law & Order: SVU* have been dealt an emotional blow as news broke that Mariska Hargitay, who has portrayed Olivia Benson for over two decades, might be considering stepping away from the show. With rumors circulating that her exit could come as soon as the next season, longtime viewers are bracing for the potential loss of one of television’s most beloved characters.

If these reports prove true, it would mark the end of an era for *Law & Order* and could lead to a major shift in the show’s dynamic, leaving fans heartbroken over the possible departure of a legend.