Jason Bell/NBCChange is the only constant in life. Mariska Hargitay is the only constant for Law & Order: SVU. And with that constant comes near constant hair changes. And we love it.
The NBC drama, which is now the longest-running drama currently on TV, kicks off season 17 with some changes. First of all, there's a new squad room. Second of all, Hargitay's hair is a little different. It is a new season after all. Throughout the 17 seasons, Hargitay's Olivia Benson has had many hairdos (only one real hair don't—she's said her season three haircut almost got her fired). There have been enough changes that you can play "Guess the season the USA Network rerun is from" just by her hairstyle. It's truly magical.
"We all know what the cornerstone is of any show's creative direction," Hargitay recently told The Hollywood Reporter. "Hair."
In celebration of Hargitay's constantly changing luscious locks and the season 17 premiere of SVU, please take a walk down memory lane with us and explore the SVU timeline of Hargitay's many seasons of hair. Yes, it's an ode to Olivia Benson and her hair.
Law & Order: SVU airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on NBC.
(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)