35 photos of Olivia Benson on ‘Law & Order: SVU’ through the years

Can you believe SVU has been on almost two decades? This is the episode that started it all.

The classic Benson/Cragen showdown.

Benson was sportin’ that late ’90s, early ’00s pixie cut in Season 2.

And she pulled it off beautifully.

Who doesn’t love it when Benson is sizing up a potential perp?

Mariska Hargitay was perfectly cast as Olivia Benson.

In Season 4 Benson’s pixie started to grow out a bit.

And she was rocking some chunky highlights.

Benson went damn near blonde in Season 5.

One of the many serious moments on SVU.

Well, doesn’t this look familiar? Another showdown between Benson and Cragen.

You tell ’em, Benson!

Always business.

Stabler giving Benson the look.

By Season 8, Benson was all about bangs and a well put-together look.

Don’t Benson and Stabler look great together?

Obviously, they complement each other perfectly.

Benson went deep undercover at a detention facility in Season 9.

Hargitay looking gorgeous in a Season 10 promotional photo.

Benson in Season 10.

Benson looked adorable with her bob in Season 11.

Even behind bars, Benson is a babe.

Gotta love this trio.

A tense moment in Season 12.

Sombody is getting grilled by Benson and Cragen!

Olivia Benson in Season 13.

Loving Benson’s flowing locks.

Getting down to business in Season 14.

Benson pondering something meaningful in Season 15.

Benson in Season 15.

If something was going down, we’d definitely want Benson on our side.

Benson and Detective Erin Lindsay in the SVU/Chicago P.D. crossover event.

Benson in Season 17.

Benson in Season 17.