The television series Law and Order: SVU has undergone some big changes over the last few months. Not only have several popular characters left the show, but storylines have started to change as well.

The show is about to return from its midseason break where it left many viewers on the edge of their seats after Mariska Hargitay’s character, Detective Olivia Benson was kidnapped and tormented. Mariska recently talked to TODAY’s Matt Lauer about the show and her character.

“I think it’s been a journey,” she said on Wednesday of the drama. I think the writing changes now that we have new show runners. It feels to me like a different show now, which I think is a great thing. After 15 years the show feels so unbelievably fresh, and that’s a gift.”

Law and Order: SVU fans may have mixed feelings about the changes, but if Mariska is right, the changes will soon grow on them.

So what can we expect when the show resumes?

According to Mariska, the detectives will find Benson’s attacker, but it won’t be easy for Benson to find closure or move past the attack. Several of the shows will focus on Benson struggling to deal with the incident while working cases.

The winter premiere of “Law & Order: SVU” airs Wednesday at 9 p.m. on NBC. Will you be tuning in to see the new changes to the show and how Detective Benson deals with her recent attack?

Image via Wikimedia Commons.