Mariska Hargitay talks motherhood and returning to work

Mariska Hargitay recently took 6 months off work, after the birth of her son, August Miklos Friedrich Hermann, now 9 months, with husband, Peter Hermann. Mariska talks motherhood and returning to work to the Herald Sun. Here are some of the highlights.

After working on Law & Order: SVU for eight years and then taking eight months off, Mariska wasn’t sure if she would be able to leave August and return to work.

After having the baby I was off for six months, and in eight years I’ve never been off for so long. So you’d think you’d get rusty. [But] then I had my child, and thought, ‘I’ll never be able to leave his side again. I have to get off the show. But as soon as I went back to SVU it was truly like — after an hour and a half — it was like I never left.’ I thought, ‘How could this happen? How, in the eighth year, could I be completely revitalized, re-energized, re-inspired to approach this in a new way?’

Mariska goes on to talk about the joy of working and being able to take August with her; she didn’t have to choose between her two dreams.

And it was obviously a gift to have my son able to come to work with me every day. I don’t feel like I’m pulled…I feel like I’m so lucky because I’m living my dream. I didn’t have to choose.

And the future for her character? Neal Baer, the executive producer says the audience has a lot to look forward to.

You’ll see Mariska as you’ve never seen her before. It’s just stunning and frightening. Your jaw will drop.

Mariska and August featured in a ‘Got Milk’ earlier this year.

Source: Herald Sun

Thanks to CBB reader Maddie.

Comments

I’m confused the article says she took 6 months of and whoever wrote it said eight.

I also thought she had a lot off before the baby and then went back to filming in septemeber. Did she mean that overall she had six months off?

I thought that Mariska took two months off before August was born. So that’s why I wrote 8 months. I’ve changed it so it’s clearer and in sync with the source.

- katherine on April 5th, 2007

August is so cute. He reminds me of a baby chimp (it’s a compliment by the way). His eyes are gorgeous.

- Jess From Ohio on April 5th, 2007

He is such a cute baby! And I love her on L & O. She’s great!!!! I wish though that Olivia and Stabler would get together lol.

- Aura on April 6th, 2007

I absolutely love that picture! He is so adorable. If I was an actor I would definitely have a clause in my contract saying I would be able to bring my child to work. Even if I had to rearrange my trailer with a crib and have a part time nanny for the set. At least she is able to see August during breaks in filming. Thats great!

- tink1217 on April 6th, 2007