Mariska Hargitay, who plays Olivia Benson in Law & Order: SVU, was absent for six episodes in Season 8 due to her maternity leave. During her pregnancy, Hargitay informed fans on her blog that she wouldn't be in a few episodes as her character wouldn't be made pregnant. The show explained her absence by having Benson go undercover and introducing a temporary replacement partner for Detective Stabler. Hargitay has now starred in 24 seasons of SVU and will return for a 25th season.