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“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” made its grand entrance in 1999, swiftly establishing itself as a premier crime drama. That same year, the iconic sitcom “Friends” was celebrating its sixth season, having already secured its spot as a cherished comedy classic. However, according to “SVU” star Mariska Hargitay, both shows could have taken a very different path. In a 2025 revelation, Hargitay shared that she auditioned for the role of Monica Geller in the early ’90s, even attempting multiple times before her eventual breakthrough with “SVU.”
Her film and TV credits from the mid-90s reveal her comedic aspirations, with guest spots on shows like “Seinfeld,” “The Single Guy,” and “Ellen.” Hargitay expressed, “I always envisioned myself on a sitcom or in comedy.” If she had landed the role of Monica Geller, it would almost certainly have solidified her place in the comedy genre and dramatically reshaped her career path in Hollywood.
“I tested for ‘Friends’ so many times,” Hargitay said while appearing on the “Good Hang” podcast hosted by Amy Poehler. The eventual “SVU” star says that, during that point in her career, she believed her future was anywhere but in a police drama. Hargitay was leaning more towards lighthearted productions.Â
In the end, the role of Monica went to Courtney Cox, who was initially offered the part of Rachel Green but specifically requested to play Monica. The role of Rachel eventually went to Jennifer Aniston, forever immortalizing both actresses in television history.
Ultimately, of course, it was “Masters of the Universe” star Courtney Cox who got the role, reportedly requesting the role of Monica after being offered the part of Rachel Green. Green later went to Jennifer Aniston.
Comedy nearly cost Mariska Hargitay her career-defining role
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As Mariska Hargitay revealed to Amy Poehler, her career almost went the way of comedy. The future Detective Olivia Benson looked eagerly for roles in sitcoms during the 1990s. In fact, her interest in comedy almost stopped her from landing her career-defining role on “Law & Order: SVU.” While making an on-stage appearance at an event for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, Hargitay recounted how the role of Benson came her way, and how she was nearly swayed out of auditioning.
According to Hargitay, when she was first told about the role by her agent, she was told it probably wasn’t a good fit. “When I got the audition for ‘SVU,’ my manager called me and he goes, ‘listen, I got a script for you, I don’t think you’re gonna like it, it’s very dark.’ And I understood why he said that because … I was leaning towards comedy at the time.” But once she was told more about the series, the actress wasn’t turned off, but intrigued. “Then I read ‘SVU’ — it was called ‘Sex Crimes’ at the time — and I was like, sold, done, I knew it was my part. … I loved it, it was so right, I never wanted anything more.”
Hargitay, who holds an oddly specific “Law & Order” record, auditioned hard for the part of Benson, and eventually got the job. It’s a role that has not only made her career, it changed her life forever.
