LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT 25th Anniversary: Stars and Guest Stars Recall Their First Days on Set

Detective Nick Amaro (Season 13, Episode 2, "Personal Fouls")
“So my first day on set was actually my test. When I tested for it, we actually, in a very non-traditional way, tested on the actual SVU set, in the conference room and in the Captain's Office, looking through the one-way mirror. And the thing I remember the most was Mariska. She was there and we basically shot a scene together, because the cameras were all set up. All the producers were there. And she wasn't dressed up as Olivia Benson; she was in her street clothes. If I remember, she was in a summer dress, because it was summertime. It was right before the season started to shoot. But I just remember her being incredibly supportive. Fantastic actor. I had never acted with her before. I mean, I'd obviously known her work, but it's different when you watch somebody on screen to when you're actually opposite somebody. I immediately identified that generosity of hers that she's known for, not only of spirit, but also in her work as she gives so much as an actor. And I wasn’t sure whether I had gotten the role or not. I certainly wanted to work on the show. But after doing that scene with her, I doubled down [knowing], ‘This could be very special.’ That’s my first memory, even before I got cast: Being at the precinct, walking through the bullpen, meeting all the producers and writers, and ultimately working with Mariska.”(Photo credit: NBC)