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I Went to the Olivia Benson Exhibit in NYC, and It Was an SVU Fan's Dream (PHOTOS)
Find out which SVU stars dropped by the experience.
On March 14, and 15, 2024, Rockefeller Plaza transformed into Olivia Benson Plaza to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
The beloved series has captivated audiences for 25 years with star Mariska Hargitay at the helm. From Olivia Benson T-shirts to show trivia displayed on what looked like real New York Wi-Fi kiosks you’d see on the street, the experience makes you feel like a VIP on a very special SVU set.
The activation is free and open to the public Thursday, March 14th and Friday, March 15th on the North Plaza of Rockefeller Center. It runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
Everything to know about the Olivia Benson Plaza experience
Facing the entrance of the pop-up are photo opportunities displaying the Law & Order logo and an ode to the iconic sound effect tied to the series Dun Dun.
Once inside, attendees can take pictures next to a subway entrance adorably referred to as the "SVU 25" train lines. A special copy of a Law & Order Ledger is available to grab. (The articles are from NBC Insider!) The newspaper keepsake details detectives featured on the show over the various seasons with a photo Captain Olivia Benson (of course!) featured above the fold.
SVU’s own Kevin Kane (Det. Terry Bruno) and Octavio Pisano (Det. Joe Velasco) stopped by the experience Thursday morning, March 14. They posed for pictures and even tried some of the complimentary beverages from the Benson & Co Coffee truck based on the show and its beloved characters. Kane jokingly scoffed at his character’s drink, Bruno’s Blend, being decaf.
RELATED: Stabler’s Voicemail to Benson in the Organized Crime Premiere Will Hurt Your Heart
Ice T toured Olivia Benson Plaza with TODAY's Al Roker earlier in the day. For those who adore his or Hargitay's characters the most, you can try Fin’s Iced Tea or Benson’s Captain-ccino. The festive drinks come in a reusable cup with SVU branding that looks fresh out of a New York coffee cart.
RELATED: Olivia Benson Is Getting Her Own SVU Fan Exhibit in New York City: Details
I sipped my Latte & Order with oatmilk at one of the small bistro tables set up and felt like Benson catching up with a friend like Elliot Stabler (Played by Christopher Meloni) on a busy day. A girl can dream!
In addition to mugs and memorabilia for sale, an important cause for Hargitay gets a spotlight as well. In partnership with the handcrafted bracelet company The Little Words Project, bracelets saying Dun Dun, WWOBD (short for What Would Olivia Benson Do?), and Elite Squad were available for purchase. I couldn’t help but get one for myself. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds for the friendship bracelets sold will go to Hargitay’s Joyful Heart Foundation, a national organization focused on supporting survivors.
There's also a photo booth where you can learn what it's like to be a featured actor on the series. Pose for a picture and watch it get added into the cast’s opening sequence. The video gets emailed to you for safe keeping.
Ryan Buggle shares what it's like to work with Mariska Hargitay
Hargitay’s TV son, Ryan Buggle (Noah Porter-Benson), made his way through the pop-up and shared what it’s like to work with her.
RELATED: Stabler Taking Care of Benson While She's Sick on SVU Is So Intimate and Tender
“Aw, she’s the best,” Buggle told NBC Insider smiling. “She’s so funny, and like pee your pants funny…I always love joking around with her.”
For Buggle, the experience “definitely” feels like being on set.
“My favorite part is definitely the Benson & Co coffee,” Buggle said, adding he was able to even get behind the counter and give out some drinks to event-goers.
If you end up missing out on the activation, you can still always tune in to Law & Order: SVU Thursdays on NBC or stream new episodes the next day on Peacock.
