HOME / ENTERTAINMENT / TV

'Law & Order: SVU' Season 22 Episode 3: Does Mariska Hargitay speak Italian? Fans impressed with 'hand gestures'

Fans will, however, be surprised to know that Mariska Hargitay is not, in fact, a fluent speaker of Italian

Spoilers for 'Law & Order: SVU' Season 22 Episode 3 'Remember Me in Quarantine'

Let's be honest. We don't need reminders that Mariska Hargitay, who plays Sergeant Olivia Benson in 'Law & Order: SVU' is a badass. Olivia has been on our screens for 22 years, and it is because of Hargitay's screen presence and charm that the show is the longest-running primetime show on television. Surprisingly, even though the show has been on for 22 years, we still learn something new about both Hargitay and Olivia each season and each time, we are surprised and yet, it seems to be something we can expect from her.

This week's episode begins with Olivia speaking to a man in Italy via video call, speaking perfect Italian and being animated with her hands. The man is talking to her about his daughter, an exchange student who has not been responding to calls. After Olivia hangs up the call, Sergeant Odafin "Fin" Tutuola (Ice-T) walks in, joking that he knew she was speaking in Italian by her hand gestures.

Fans were immediately impressed that Mariska was speaking Italian so well, perhaps even like a native. A fan wrote, "Liv speaking Italian is such a perfect way to open an episode! #SVU @nbcsvu." Another opined, "OOP Look at Liv speaking Italian! #SVU."

One viewer wrote, "I adore being reminded that Benson speaks multiple languages #SVU." A fan remarked, "#svu Olivia coming through with those hand gestures while speaking Italian lol." One fan tweeted, "I want to see Liv and Carisi speaking Italian to each other! #SVU@nbcsvu." Another wrote, "benson is so cute speaking italian the language of my people yassss #SVU."

Fans will, however, be surprised to know that Mariska Hargitay is not, in fact, a fluent speaker of Italian. However, she must have gotten help from the 'Law & Order: SVU' showrunner, Warren Leight, who is a fluent speaker of the language, according to the production company from Dick Wolf, Wolf Entertainment. The official Wolf Entertainment account tweeted, "A little Italian to start tonight's #SVU. You'd never know that @Mariska isn't fluent in the language. But our @nbcsvu show runner @warrenleightTV is!"

'Law & Order: SVU' airs on NBC on Thursday nights at 9/8c.