Melissa McCarthy Surprises Mariska Hargitay on the ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Set
Melissa McCarthy pulled off a surprise six years in the making on the set of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” and she did it in an old lady mask.
The 55-year-old actress secretly arranged a guest appearance as pro fighter Jasmyn Jewell on Season 27, Episode 18, titled “Gimmick,” which aired Thursday, April 23, on NBC.
The entire SVU crew helped keep the cameo hidden from star Mariska Hargitay, 62, who had no idea McCarthy was coming. McCarthy documented the whole stunt in an Instagram video posted on April 23 evening, capturing the moment Hargitay realized who her scene partner was.
McCarthy arrived at the filming location in a disguise to get onto set undetected, and surprised Hargitay mid-production.
“It’s 6 a.m. We are on our way to SVU to surprise Mariska. She does not know we’re coming,” said in the video.
The reaction captured in the video was wholesome.
“Holy mother of Christ,” Hargitay said, backing up in shock. “Are you f—ing kidding me?”
Melissa McCarthy’s Secret SVU Cameo Plan Paid Off
McCarthy narrated the whole operation in her Instagram video. She pulled up to the filming location at 6 a.m. wearing the mask of an elderly woman, only removing it before stepping on set in full costume, mullet, wrestling belt, character intact.
“Everyone has been sneaking around behind boss lady’s back, lovingly,” McCarthy said in the video. “I didn’t want her to see me coming in and ruining the surprise.”
The crew had also considered getting McCarthy into a body bag so Hargitay would find her when she opened it, but that plan didn’t work out, McCarthy told Hargitay on camera, according to People.
When McCarthy finally walked onto the expo set as Jasmyn Jewell, Hargitay stopped cold. After several hugs, she told McCarthy: “I can’t believe it. This changes all the dialogue!”
“I can’t remember the last time I was surprised like this,” Hargitay said. “I’m so happy right now, I don’t know what to do.”
After they ran the scene, Hargitay put McCarthy in handcuffs. McCarthy’s response: “I’ve been thinking about this for years,” according to People.
“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.”
Melissa McCarthy’s Jasmyn Jewell character and what she brought to ‘Gimmick’
In “Gimmick,” the SVU squad investigates the death of an athlete tied to the professional fighting world. Captain Olivia Benson tracks down Jasmyn Jewell, McCarthy’s character at a fighter expo where the murder victim was last seen.
Jewell’s opening line when Benson approaches: “I didn’t do it.” Then she looks up, sees Benson’s face and immediately pivots.
She tells Benson she’s spotted her “spectacular set of baby browns” and that she knows “my way around a pair of handcuffs” before eventually pointing Benson toward the case, according to People.
After the episode aired, Hargitay posted a set selfie with McCarthy on Instagram: “SURPRISE!!!! Mind blown and still doing the happy dance!”
McCarthy’s caption on the shared Instagram video said it all.
“Sometimes you just have to show up to give a proper ATTA GIRL to a total (ultimate) boss lady,” she wrote.
“Turns out it is VERY hard trying to keep secrets from Mariska Hargitay on her set but we managed to pull it off and in a world where things are heavy and dark but this day was PURE JOY.”
“Mariska, you are the real deal. Sorry everyone lied to you, hope it was worth it (this surprise was six years in the making people)!!! PS LOOK MA I FINALLY MADE IT ON LAW & ORDER!”
Hargitay replied in the comments: “WORTH THE WAIT.”