Reneé Rapp Wants To Play Mariska Hargitay's Lover ‘Law & Order: SVU’

Reneé Rapp, acclaimed for her powerful vocals and acting roles in projects such as “The Sex Lives of College Girls” and the “Mean Girls” musical remake, has set social media abuzz with her recent comments about a potential return to television. During a segment on NBC’s “The Today Show,” Rapp was asked about her dream guest role on the long-running procedural “Law & Order: SVU.” Without hesitation, she responded that she would love to play the romantic partner of Captain Olivia Benson, the iconic character portrayed by Mariska Hargitay.

The clip, which quickly went viral, captured Rapp’s enthusiasm and playfulness as she referenced the internet’s long-standing curiosity about Benson’s sexuality. Rapp joked that it was “about time Benson was gay,” alluding to recurring fan theories and the lack of explicit LGBTQ+ relationships for the character over the show’s 26-season history.

Rapp’s suggestion resonates deeply within the LGBTQ+ community, particularly given her own journey with sexual identity. She publicly came out as bisexual during an appearance on “Saturday Night Live” and has since described herself as “very much lesbian” in more recent interviews. Her openness has made her a visible figure in LGBTQ+ entertainment, and her proposal to play a queer love interest on a major network drama carries significant cultural weight.

“Law & Order: SVU” is renowned for its portrayals of sensitive topics, including sexual assault and gender-based violence. However, despite its progressive storylines, the series has largely avoided exploring Olivia Benson’s romantic life in an explicitly LGBTQ+ context. Fans and commentators alike have long speculated about Benson’s sexuality and have called for more overt queer representation on the show.

Rapp’s comments come at a time when LGBTQ+ visibility on television continues to grow, but major network procedurals often lag behind cable and streaming platforms in depicting queer relationships. For a series as influential as “Law & Order: SVU” — which has shaped American television drama since 1999 — introducing a same-sex romance for its lead character would be a historic moment.

Rapp has even offered her own ideas for how her character could be introduced, imagining an undercover mission where she and Benson pose as a couple entangled in a high-stakes case. “I would be her lover, and we would somehow get tangled in an undercover kind of mission, probably with a drug empire,” Rapp suggested in interviews, blending the show’s trademark suspense with the possibility of authentic LGBTQ+ narrative arcs.

The response from both fans and industry observers has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing hope that the show’s creators and executive producer Dick Wolf will consider the idea. Social media platforms have seen a surge of support for Rapp’s vision, with users highlighting the potential for authentic queer storytelling and the opportunity to reflect the diversity of the show’s audience.

While there is currently no official confirmation from NBC or the producers of “SVU” regarding Rapp’s potential involvement, her comments have reignited discussions about the importance of LGBTQ+ actors and storylines in mainstream media. As the series prepares for its 27th season, fans are eager to see if the show will take bold steps toward greater inclusivity.

Rapp, who is currently focusing on her music career following the release of her album “Bite Me,” has not ruled out a return to acting for the right role. Her willingness to leverage her platform to champion LGBTQ+ representation on one of television’s most recognizable stages is seen by many as both courageous and necessary.

If Rapp’s dream role becomes reality, it would mark a significant milestone for both her career and for LGBTQ+ visibility on prime-time television. Until then, her candidness and vision continue to inspire conversations about what authentic queer representation can—and should—look like on screen.