Mariska Hargitay to make Broadway debut in ‘Every Brilliant Thing’

Mariska Hargitay is stepping from the streets of New York’s fictional "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" onto a Broadway stage for the first time.

The Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress, best known for playing Olivia Benson on NBC’s "Law & Order: SVU," will make her Broadway debut in “Every Brilliant Thing” beginning May 26 at the Hudson Theatre. Hargitay succeeds Daniel Radcliffe, who closes his acclaimed run in the solo play on May 24. Hargitay's final performance will be July 5 before actress Tracee Ellis Ross succeeds her in the role beginning July 7.

The Broadway revival, written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe, has also earned Tony Award nominations for Best Revival of a Play and Best Leading Actor in a Play for Radcliffe.

For Hargitay, the role marks the fulfillment of a longtime personal goal after decades on television. In a statement announcing the casting, the actress said the play’s themes of healing and hope immediately resonated with her.

“I read 'Every Brilliant Thing' and cried, rejoiced, laughed, cried some more, and loved it so much,” Hargitay said. “It feels like an extraordinary gift to make my Broadway debut, the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, with a play that affirms life so emphatically.”

'Every Brilliant Thing,' puts deeply personal story at center stage

“Every Brilliant Thing” follows an unnamed narrator navigating depression, family struggles and grief while creating a running list of life’s small joys, from “ice cream” to “the color yellow.” What begins as an attempt to comfort the narrator’s suicidal mother evolves into a lifelong reminder of hope and human connection.

The production is structured as a one-person play with heavy audience interaction, as theatergoers help portray supporting characters throughout the performance, Deadline reported. The show first debuted at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before later moving Off-Broadway and airing as an HBO special starring co-writer Jonny Donahoe.

Directed by Jeremy Herrin and Macmillan, the current Broadway production transferred from London’s West End earlier this year.

Mariska Hargitay’s long career leads to Broadway bow

Hargitay has portrayed Olivia Benson on "Law & Order: SVU" since the show premiered in 1999, earning eight Emmy nominations and a 2006 win. She also received a Golden Globe Award in 2005 for the role.

Hargitay’s longtime “SVU” co-star Kelli Giddish said the cast has rallied behind the actress as she prepares for her Broadway bow.

“I’m so excited for her,” Giddish told People. “The whole set was like, ‘You’re in a play! You’re doing Broadway!’”

Outside acting, Hargitay founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, which supports survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse. A well-known fan of the New York Knicks – she's become pals with NBA superstar Jalen Brunson – Hargitay has also produced several documentaries, including “I Am Evidence” and “Emanuel.”

In 2025, Hargitay made her feature directorial debut with the documentary "My Mom Jayne," which explored the life and legacy of her mother, Hollywood star Jayne Mansfield.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at [email protected], or on X @athompsonUSAT