Melissa McCarthy Surprises Mariska Hargitay on“ Law & Order: SVU” Set While Filming Secret Cameo: 'Mind Blown'

Brenton BlanchetFri, April 24, 2026 at 3:28 PM UTC

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Melissa McCarthy on the season 27 episode of 'SVU'; and with star Mariska HargitayCredit: NBC; therealmariskahargitay/Instagram -

Melissa McCarthy made a surprise appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

After the episode "Gimmick" aired on April 23, McCarthy documented her experience surprising star Mariska Hargitay on set

"I can't remember the last time I was surprised like this," Hargitay said

Mariska Hargitay has seen it all after 27 seasons filming Law & Order: Special Victims Unit — especially now after Melissa McCarthy stumbled on set.

The SVU star, 62, couldn't contain her excitement when McCarthy, 55, made a surprise appearance on set to film her cameo for the season 27 episode, "Gimmick," which aired Thursday, April 23.

In an Instagram clip shared by both women on Thursday evening, McCarthy documented her experience wearing a disguise and pulling up to SVU's filming location just to shock the show's star — who had no idea she was coming. The latest episode of SVU features the Emmy winner as a pro fighter who tries to flirt with Hargitay's Olivia Benson while she's on the job.

To prepare for her appearance, McCarthy went incognito. She wore the mask of an elderly woman while pulling up to set, only to take it off before surprising Hargitay.

"It's 6 a.m. We are on our way to SVU to surprise Mariska. She does not know we're coming and doing a little part in it today. Everyone has been sneaking around behind boss lady's back, lovingly," McCarthy said. "I didn't want her to see me coming in and ruining the surprise. I can't wait to see if it works."

It indeed worked. The clip continued with McCarthy in her costume for the scene — minus the elderly woman mask this time — as she approached Hargitay. After offering her an unsuspecting "hello," Hargitay got a closer look at her new scene partner, before backing up in shock.

"Holy mother of Christ," she said. "Are you f---ing kidding me?"

The pair then shared a few quick hugs, as McCarthy admitted that Hargitay was "very hard to trick."

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"I can't believe it," Hargitay said. "This changes all the dialogue!"

Melissa McCarthy with Mariska Hargitay on the set of 'SVU'Credit: therealmariskahargitay/Instagram

McCarthy also revealed to Hargitay that those on the show even "tried to get me in a body bag" so she could surprise Hargitay when she opened it, but that didn't work out. "I'm in shock right now," Hargitay said. "I can't remember the last time I was surprised like this. I'm so happy right now, I don't know what to do."

After running the scene, Hargitay gave McCarthy the Benson treatment, asked her to turn around and even threw some handcuffs on her. "I've been thinking about this for years," McCarthy joked.

In the new episode, the Mike & Molly alum plays pro fighter Jasmyn Jewell, who flirtatiously helps Benson with a murder investigation. When Benson approaches Jewell at an expo for help identifying a man, Jewell shares her love for the "babes in blue" and compliments Benson's "spectacular set of baby browns."

Melissa McCarthy and Mariska Hargitay on 'SVU' season 27, episode 18Credit: NBC

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At one point, she tells Benson that she knows "my way around a pair of handcuffs," before eventually guiding her in the right direction.

After the episode aired, Hargitay shared a selfie with her scene partner, as she reflected on the "surprise" on set. "Mind blown and still doing the happy dance! 🥰🥳," she wrote.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”