Law & Order: SVU's Ice-T Says He'll Stay On The Show As Long As Mariska Hargitay Is Still There

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" is in its 24th season. As the longest-running "Law & Order" series and one of the longest-running television shows of all time, "SVU" has accomplished something that many series can only dream of. Cast members come and go, but a few staples have been around since the earliest seasons. Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson is the heart and soul of the series. Starting out as a detective and partner to Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) in Season 1, Benson has climbed her way up to captain of her unit.

The other notable character that's been around since Season 2 is Ice-T's Odafin "Fin" Tutuola. As one of the livelier characters on "SVU," Fin is the one to turn to when you need a laugh. With his quick wit, Fin is always cracking jokes and one-liners, but he's also the person who will be 100% honest with you even if the truth is hard to swallow.

The bond Benson and Fin share has grown stronger throughout the years the pair have been on the show. As the only two characters who have survived over 500 episodes (via IMDb), it's hard to imagine that they wouldn't be thick as thieves. As it turns out, the actors who play them are also just as close.

Ice-T sat down with Smashing Interviews Magazine to talk about his new advocation of My Legacy Voice and his role on "Law & Order: SVU." The outlet asked Ice-T if he thought he'd stick around the series until the very end, whenever that might be, and he said yes — as long as Mariska Hargitay does the same.

"I made a statement that I'll be there until Mariska leaves. I think the show is Mariska's show. I don't think Mariska can be replaced," Ice-T explained. To be honest, he's not wrong. When anyone thinks about "SVU," an immediate image of Olivia Benson comes to mind. From the very beginning, she's been the person the rest of the cast turns to as an empathetic leader. In the show's early days, Benson proved that she was a strong and capable detective who would be led by what she believed was right. Even when she didn't outrank any of them, the others turned to her for guidance. 

"Fortunately, she's still out buying stuff. So as long as she keeps spending money, I think I've got a job," Ice-T continued while laughing. Apparently, he doesn't see an end to the incredibly successful series anytime soon. "If Mariska starts saving money and liquidating, I'll start getting worried," he jokingly added. "I'll be like, 'Okay. We've got to book a tour. We've got to get on the road.'"