Mariska Hargitay had plenty to celebrate on Saturday night as she walked away from the Creative Arts Emmys carrying not one, but two golden statuettes.
The 62-year-old Law & Order: SVU star looked radiant in a strapless scarlet gown as she celebrated an extraordinary double victory for My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay, her deeply personal documentary about her late mother, Hollywood icon Jayne Mansfield.
Mariska couldn't contain her delight as she posed backstage at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater with an Emmy in each hand, at one point triumphantly lifting both awards above her head.
Her floor-length red gown featured a fitted strapless bodice, delicate pleating and a sparkling embellishment at the waist before falling into a flowing skirt with a thigh-high split.
© Getty ImagesThe actress kept her accessories simple with a layered diamond necklace, while her brunette bob was styled in a relaxed centre-parted updo with face-framing strands.
But it was Mariska's expression that said it all as she beamed for photographers following what was both a professional triumph and an intensely personal one.
Mariska Hargitay wins two Emmys for My Mom Jayne
Mariska won Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program before My Mom Jayne was named Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special.
The film had received three nominations in total, including Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program.
© Getty ImagesThe wins represent a remarkable new chapter for Mariska, who made her documentary directing debut with the film after spending more than a quarter of a century playing Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU.
Her latest accolades also come 20 years after she won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Emmy for her portrayal of Olivia in 2006.
When the documentary's Emmy nominations were announced in July, Mariska admitted that the recognition felt as though it belonged to both herself and her mother. "I'm thrilled and deeply moved by these nominations," she said.
"It's an emotional moment, because what feels most natural to say is 'On behalf of my mom and myself, thank you.'" Mariska added: "I'm profoundly grateful to have this moment with her."
Why My Mom Jayne was so personal for Mariska
My Mom Jayne sees Mariska revisit the life and legacy of her mother, who died in a car accident in 1967 when Mariska was just three years old.
Rather than simply creating a biography of the famous blonde bombshell, Mariska embarked upon a deeply personal exploration of the woman behind the Hollywood image and her own complicated relationship with a mother she barely had the opportunity to know.
The documentary incorporates family photographs, home movies and intimate conversations with Mariska's siblings, and also sees the actress confront a long-held family secret about her biological father.
© Getty ImagesMariska previously explained that she had needed to do considerable work on herself before she was capable of making the film.
"When I first decided to do it in 2020 during the pandemic, I knew the work that I had to do internally," she said during a Directors Guild of America discussion.
She wanted to approach the story "from an objective clear point of view but not as an injured person," explaining that making the documentary ultimately proved transformative for both herself and her family. "This process cleared so much out of the way for me," she said. "It was an extraordinarily organizing film to make."
Mariska's remarkable second act at 62
The double victory comes during an extraordinary period in Mariska's career. She is currently filming season 28 of Law & Order: SVU, having played Olivia Benson since the series premiered in 1999, and the upcoming season will include the show's landmark 600th episode.
Despite previously considering whether it might be time to walk away from the role, Mariska recently made it clear she isn't ready to say goodbye.
"Do I want to quit now? No," she told Variety, revealing that she can now envisage remaining with the series through season 30.
© Getty Images for HBOAnd her Emmy celebrations aren't over yet. Mariska will return to the spotlight on September 14 when she takes on one of the biggest jobs of her career: hosting the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Speaking about landing the prestigious role, she said: "I've spent my career stepping into stories, listening deeply, and finding the truth in the moment. Hosting the Emmys feels like a beautiful extension of that."
