Mariska Hargitay Praises Taylor Swift’s Acting and Cookies on Emmys SVU Set

Mariska Hargitay said working with Taylor Swift on their Emmys Law & Order: SVU sketch involved homemade sourdough chocolate chip cookies.

Speaking to People for an article published Wednesday (Oct. 7), the actress discussed Swift joining the SVU universe. After playing Capt. Olivia Benson for nearly 28 seasons, Hargitay and her costars welcomed rookie Det. Swift to help solve a mystery in a spoof that aired during Hargitay’s debut hosting stint at the 2026 award show.

“Taylor Swift showed up on the set of SVU with a box this big of sourdough chocolate chip cookies, and I was so blown away because she made them,” Hargitay told the outlet. “They might have been the best cookies I’ve ever had, and it was extraordinary.”

The 14-time Grammy winner’s baking skills were just one aspect of the collaboration. “We just had such a great time,” Hargitay said. “It was so cozy and familiar, and she’s such a pro, and she was such a great sport to do anything and everything.”

“She’s such a good actor and so charming and charismatic,” she added. “It was such a thrill for everybody — not only obviously me and the cast, but for everybody, the entire crew. She is extraordinary.”

Swift was not present at the 2026 Emmys outside of the pre-filmed cameo. Her attendance was the subject of the meta SVU skit, in which Benson and her team used Swiftie logic to determine her whereabouts before Swift appeared to help them conclude she would be busy supporting Travis Kelce at the Kansas City Chiefs game on the night of the ceremony.

“Well, that case is solved: Taylor Swift will not be at the Emmys,” Hargitay said at the end of the spoof, to which Swift responded, “Maybe she’s gonna do one of those cool pre-taped sketch things to support the host.”

Swift included Easter eggs in the skit teasing The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, a deluxe edition of her 2025 album released at the end of September that includes four new tracks: Billboard Hot 100 leader “Patient Zero,” “Pink Clouding,” “Babylon” and “Cleveland!”