MISERABLE MARISKA LEAVING ‘LAW & ORDER!’
MOVING TO L.A. FOR MOVIES & PUTTING STRAIN ON MARRIAGE
LAW & ORDER: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay is walking away from the series after 20 seasons to pursue a movie career, sources said! “Mariska feels like she’s done all she can as the star of the show and it’s time to embark on the next chapter of her life!” an insider claimed. The beloved Emmy Award– winning star’s exit won’t only rock the millions of viewers but also the cast and crew who’ve grown so dependent on her, according to sources close to the 54-year-old mother of three.
While a rep denies the actress is leaving the show, a mole dished: “Mariska’s departure will be gradual and a well-planned transition to create the least amount of chaos possible.
“After she slapped NBC bosses with an ultimatum, they agreed to have her exclusively work off-camera as a producer and refine her craft.
“It’s no secret Mariska is tempted by relocating to Los Angeles to explore other opportunities — but it would throw a wrench in her marriage because her husband and kids are rooted in Manhattan!”
Executives at the show are already making plans for the departure of her character, Det. Olivia Benson, with showrunner Michael Chernuchin revealing she will “be facing her own mortality.” Early signs that Mariska wants to ditch the grind of starring in a police drama based on sex crimes were obvious two years ago when she suffered a meltdown on the “SVU” set — screaming at a crew member.
“She’s been doing the job for so long that Mariska suffers from the same traumas real cops do in this line of work,” a source said. “It pushed her to a breaking point. But by leaving, only time will tell how it will affect her home life!”
Her hubby, actor Peter Hermann, stars on cable TV’s “Younger,” which films in
New York, and often appears in stage productions there. “A move to L.A. would be extremely difficult for him,” a source claimed.
What’s more, the couple’s children — biological son August, 12, and adopted seven-year-olds Andrew and Amaya — would have to leave their New York schools and longtime pals, a source said. “Mariska recently put their Manhattan townhouse on the market so she can move onto the next phase of their lives,” dished the source.
The couple bought the brownstone just over six years ago and made extensive and expensive updates. Despite that, the current asking price is just $50,000 more than the $10.7 million they paid for it! “It’s clear Mariska wants to unload it as soon as possible,” the source said.