SVU's First Female Showrunner Transforms Set, Says Star

Mariska Hargitay described the 27th season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as remarkably smooth and enjoyable, attributing much of this success to Michele Fazekas, the series' first female showrunner. Fazekas, who previously worked as a writer on the show from its third to seventh seasons, stepped into the showrunner role in April 2025. Hargitay expressed that having a woman at the helm created a more unified and positive environment on set. She contrasted this with past experiences in "toxic environments," emphasizing the current collaborative spirit where the team "all just want to make a good show and not make it harder than it needs to be."

Hargitay further elaborated on the unique dynamic with Fazekas, describing it as "new and coming home at the same time." She praised Fazekas's ability to capture specific emotional and comedic nuances integral to her character, Olivia Benson, suggesting it was precisely what SVU needed. Fazekas, in turn, commended Hargitay's unwavering dedication, citing an instance during a rain-soaked scene in the Season 27 finale where Hargitay requested an additional take. The actor emphasized the collective effort and mutual encouragement for excellence among the team, aiming to "push each other to be excellent, to be great."