Kelli Giddish Of ‘Law & Order Special Victims Unit’ On The Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career In TV & Film
…You will never have time like this again. Don’t feel pressured. Go ahead and travel and take that job as a river raft guide. It’s okay not to go to school — you’re going to learn from failure. And finally, live beside a body of water…
I had the pleasure of talking with Kelli Giddish, a prominent American actress known for her extensive work in television, stage, and film. With a career spanning over two decades, she has become a familiar face to audiences, particularly for her role as NYPD Detective Amanda Rollins in the long-running NBC crime drama “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (SVU). Giddish’s portrayal of Rollins, which began in 2011, solidified her status as a key player in the television crime drama genre, a field she has been deeply involved in since the mid-2000s.
Giddish’s interest in acting was kindled at a young age, largely due to the influence of her paternal grandfather, who would take her to the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. This early exposure to the performing arts was complemented by the support of her maternal grandmother and the mentorship of Yatesy Harvey, a local drama teacher in Forsyth Central High School. Harvey’s community theater in Giddish’s hometown provided her with a foundational experience in acting, which she later described as instilling in her a “fierce curiosity” and high standards for the craft. During her high school years, Giddish balanced her passion for acting with athletic pursuits, becoming a state champion in softball and earning the title of State Literary Champion for Girls Dramatic Interpretation in 1998.
After high school, Giddish pursued a degree in theater performance at the University of Evansville in Indiana, where she continued to receive strong support from her family, who attended every one of her college performances. Upon graduating, Giddish moved to New York City to pursue her acting career. Within a year of her arrival, she landed a role in a Broadway play alongside Farrah Fawcett, marking the beginning of her professional journey in acting.
Giddish’s television career began to take shape in 2005 when she was cast as Di Henry on the ABC soap opera “All My Children.” Her performance on the show ran until 2007, and it marked her first significant foray into the medium. Following her departure from “All My Children,” Giddish appeared in the 2008 thriller film “Death in Love,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and took on roles in early web series like “The Burg” and “All’s Faire,” reflecting her adaptability and willingness to explore new formats.
In 2010, Giddish was cast as Dr. Kate McGinn in the Fox crime drama series “Past Life,” a role that showcased her versatility as an actress. The show centered around past-life investigators and, despite its intriguing premise, was short-lived, with the series being canceled after just seven episodes. Giddish’s next significant role came in the NBC crime drama “Chase,” where she played U.S. Marshal Annie Nolan Frost. Although “Chase” also had a brief run, Giddish’s portrayal of the determined and resourceful marshal was met with positive reviews, further establishing her reputation in crime dramas.
Giddish’s most defining role came in 2011 when she joined the cast of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” as Detective Amanda Rollins. The character was introduced during the show’s 13th season as part of a broader cast shakeup following the departure of Christopher Meloni. Giddish’s Rollins quickly became a central figure on the show, with her character’s complex backstory and evolving relationships adding depth to the series. Over the years, Giddish’s portrayal of Rollins garnered praise for its authenticity and emotional resonance, making her a fan favorite and a key element of the show’s enduring success.
Beyond “SVU,” Giddish has made guest appearances on other shows within the “Law & Order” franchise, including “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.,” and “Law & Order: Organized Crime.” Her work on “SVU” spanned 13 years, during which she became one of the longest-serving cast members. In 2023, she briefly stepped away from her role but returned as a guest star, highlighting her lasting impact on the series.
Kelli Giddish’s career reflects a consistent dedication to her craft, with a particular focus on roles that explore the complexities of crime and justice. Her journey from a small-town theater enthusiast to a television mainstay is marked by a series of calculated risks, tenacity, and a deep love for storytelling, qualities that continue to define her career as she looks toward new opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Yitzi: Kelli, it’s a delight and an honor to meet you. Before we dive in deep, readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share with us a story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Kelli: Well, I grew up in Georgia, in a town called Cumming. I was actually born in Conyers, which I only mention because one of my favorite people, Holly Hunter, is also from there. When I was growing up, Cumming was a very small town, with chicken farms and softball games. It was pretty idyllic. My mom was a teacher, and my dad worked at AT&T.
There was a woman named Yeatsy Harvey who ran a community theater in our tiny town. My mom suggested I audition because they had all these kids in plays. So, I auditioned with “Do Your Ears Hang Low” for The Velveteen Rabbit, and that was my first play. It was awesome having that and sports to keep me busy. I have a brother who’s about seven years younger than me, so we were a tight-knit family. We had family reunions and got together with all my cousins for every Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. I grew up with a really strong, supportive family.
After high school, I went to college in Evansville, Indiana, which is in the middle of nowhere. We used to joke that the cultural high point was the Barnes and Noble. Everything was so flat, and it’s literally the crossroads of America. But I went to school with some amazing people — very intelligent and curious about the world — and I was so happy to have that experience.
Then I moved to New York when I was 22, and I’ve lived here pretty much ever since, with some breaks in Baltimore and Atlanta. I filmed a show in Dallas, lived there for a bit, and spent some time in L.A. Moving to L.A. for the first time in my 20s was awesome. I’d never been to Colorado or seen the West. I’d been to France and other places because I got to study overseas, but I’d never seen the American West. So, I decided to take the train from New York to California. It was a five-day trip, and I’m still so happy I did it. It was one of the best trips of my life. Arriving in L.A. after actually traveling there felt like the perfect way to do it.
Of course, the first time I had to drive in years, since I’d been living in New York and taking the subway, gas prices had jumped to around $5.50 or $6 a gallon. And then there was the writers’ strike. So, I moved to L.A. with no promise of work and high gas prices, but I was still so happy to be there.
I lived in L.A. for about six months. I hardly ever worked there. I used to think it was because everyone was kind of blonde and blue-eyed, and they looked like me, but that’s just how it went. Whenever I got a job, it would take me somewhere else. That’s kind of what you do in your 20s, I guess, if you’re an actor.
I honestly always thought I would do theater in New York and scramble for a commercial on the side to make real money. So, when I ended up doing TV for so many years, it was quite a surprise. When I first moved to New York, I was doing black box theater, writing my own stuff, and thought that’s the world I’d stay in. But I’m very grateful for the journey I’ve taken so far, and we’ll see what comes next.
Yitzi: So you’re probably most well-known from Law and Order. Can you share the story of how you first got introduced to the show? What was your first break?
Kelli: Yeah, well, it’s funny coming up in theater because you make all these little connections. I went to this playwriting workshop when I was 18, in a tiny town called New Harmony in Indiana. We had big playwrights from New York come in, and Warren Leight was there — he had just won a Tony for his play Sideman, so he was a big deal. I got to meet and talk with him, and ten years later, he remembered me when Chris Meloni was leaving SVU. Warren was taking over SVU that year and was looking for someone to help fill the gap left by Chris’s absence.
They reached out and asked if I’d be interested in doing Law and Order. At the time, I had just finished a season of Chase, which had been canceled, so I was available. I said, “Sure, let’s talk.” Warren and I had this rich, fertile conversation about the character and where it could go. It was amazing to see things come full circle — from meeting him when I was 18 to now being considered for a primetime show.
I tested for the role in New York, even though I was living in L.A. at the time. I did a scene with Mariska Hargitay, and it was so much fun — different from most of the tests I’d done before. Usually, you’re a nervous wreck during tests. It’s a horrible experience, and you’re sitting in the waiting room looking at all the other girls thinking, “I don’t have a shot at this,” or “Why am I going in for this? I’m so not right for this,” or even “I want this job so bad.” It runs the gamut of emotions.
But this time, I just went in and played. Playing with Mariska was the start of something really great. Everything that happened on that show — the relationships between the characters — evolved in such an organic way. I’m really grateful for all the twists and turns that happened there.
Yitzi: You probably have some amazing stories from all your years on set or in front of the camera. Can you share one or two of your favorite memories from your professional life?
Kelli: Well, my biggest regret from being on Law and Order for so many years has to do with Ice-T. I wish I had written down something he said every single day because he always had something memorable to say. I know he shares a lot on Twitter, but being around him every day was such a treat. He’s one of the wisest people I’ve ever known, and he has this incredible ability to take a big idea and break it down into something beautifully succinct that just hits you in your heart or mind. I really wish I’d written some of those things down.
As for my experience on the show, it’s been the bulk of my career. Getting to work with Mariska Hargitay has been incredible. She’s such a strong woman, and what fans might not know is that she’s also one of the funniest people on the planet. The way she handles the scripts and stays so deeply invested, episode after episode, in the stories we’re telling and the impact we’re making, is still a huge inspiration to me.
Yitzi: Amazing. It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you were first starting and the lesson you learned from it?
Kelli: Hmm, let me think. I guess one of the biggest mistakes I made was in my expectations. When I first started on Law and Order, I thought the show was only going to last for two years. Chris Meloni was leaving, and the show had already been on for 12 years, so I figured, “Okay, I’ll do this show in New York for two years.” Wow, how mistaken I was.
All I can say is that I’m so grateful. Year after year, I kept thinking, “I can’t believe we’re still doing this show,” and everybody loves it so much. The lesson I learned is that you can’t count out what works. If you’re telling a good story, that’s really all that matters.
Yitzi: That’s amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever interviewed someone who’s been with a character for so long. It’s really unbelievable. But you do it so well. How do you keep your character fresh and new so that people don’t feel like, “Okay, I know that already”? How do you make something new every single show?
Kelli: Right. Well, during my time on the show, my husband jokes that I must hold the Guinness World Record for having the most babies on a single show. I was pregnant and had three kids while working on Law and Order. I don’t know if that’s true, but I’m going to let him believe it!
But you change over time. I was just barely 30 when I got the role, so the way I’ve changed has been reflected in Rollins as well. The wildness has calmed down, and there’s more listening, more introspection. It’s all connected to what I’m going through in my own life. Now, I’m remarried, I have three sons, and I’m much more centered. That’s what keeps it fresh for me — the way the writers have always been close to us personally. They know what we’re going through, and that definitely keeps things fresh.
Rollins isn’t just headstrong and sure of herself anymore. Now she’s a mom, and she’s wondering, “Am I doing this right? What am I doing?” She questions herself, her choices, her relationships, and that complexity is great to play. I always told the writers, “If you need to throw anyone under the bus, let it be me,” because I love finding a way out or into something. I’ve always been game for that kind of challenge.
Yitzi: We love hearing stories where someone a little further ahead opens a door or creates an opportunity — an act of kindness that changes someone’s career. Do you have a story where you did that for someone else or where someone did that for you?
Kelli: When you asked about a mistake I made, it reminded me of this casting director, Meg Simon. I was going in for TV auditions at the time, but I still saw myself as a theater actress. I wasn’t wearing any makeup, and I didn’t care about the clothes I wore. Meg pulled me into her office one day and said, “I think you’re really great, and I really want you to get cast in something. But you’re going to have to invest in some mascara and maybe just present yourself a bit more.”
At first, I was like, “Oh, okay. I’ll do that. No problem.” It was such a small thing, but it made me realize that TV is different. The camera is different. I saw what she was saying, and it was a real kindness that she showed me. It could have been taken the wrong way, but I took it as the help she intended it to be.
That lesson stuck with me, and over the years, being on a procedural for so long, you start to see it in a different light. It’s not just about being on TV — it’s about the impact you have. Like when someone in a coffee shop says, “Thank you,” and you realize they’ve been through something and your work mattered to them. It’s that kind of kindness, even when you’re not aware of it, that makes you proud to go to work. It feels like you’re paying it forward, telling stories that matter. You’re not just entertainment for nothing — it’s for something real.
Yitzi: That’s great. So, Kelli, you have so much impressive work. Can you share with our readers any exciting projects you’re working on now and what you see yourself doing in the near future?
Kelli: Well, I’m working with these producers, Double Nickel, who just did The Burial on Amazon with Jamie Foxx. It’s a great movie if you haven’t seen it. The people at Double Nickel are just solid, beautiful, and great to work with. They came to me with a book that has such a fascinating character, and I’m trying to see if there’s a market for it.
Right now, the idea of building something from the ground up is so inviting and attractive to me. It’s really appealing to be able to pick the people I want to work with because I’ve been surrounded by such good people for so many years. I’d love to keep that going and create something new. If it’s not this project, it’ll be something else, but I’ve found some great partners in them, and I’m excited to see where it leads.
Yitzi: That’s amazing. So, as we talked about, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit is probably one of the highest-rated shows of the past decades. What do you think it is that captures people’s hearts and minds about the show?
Kelli: We get the bad guys. I think there’s also a good amount of character development, especially led by Mariska. You can really feel her investment in the stories. It’s just a good mix of people who care and are willing to tell dark stories.
There are so many intergenerational stories I hear from people who say, “Oh, I used to watch that with my grandma,” or “I used to watch that with my mom,” or “I used to watch that with my uncle.” It’s something that, if it’s not appointment TV, it’s like family networking TV. People talk about it. It’s a time to sit down and be moved by something you’re both watching, and it’s not two hours long. It’s a small amount of time, and you know the characters. They’ve been in your living room for years, and that doesn’t happen anymore.
A good show these days might last four years or something like that. I don’t even stick with shows for that long. I watch the first season and think, “That was great, I can’t wait for the next,” but then I get distracted with so many other things. But with SVU, people keep coming back. They keep coming back because, as horrible as it is to say, the things explored in that show are things we all know someone has gone through. It’s inexplicable in our minds, and I think there’s a part of us that’s trying to understand why it happens and how you come back from something like that.
Yitzi: Amazing. Along the same lines, what would you say are the lessons that society can take from the motifs and feelings of the series?
Kelli: Just listen. Listen to people. I think talking about it is the best thing we can do.
Yitzi: How would you compare and contrast your personal character, Kelli, with the character you play, Amanda Rollins? How are you similar, and how are you different?
Kelli: Well, I think the journey has been very similar. Both of us have gone from hopping around, not really settling down, to becoming more centered and comfortable in our relationships. But in contrast, Amanda had a very hectic family life growing up, while mine couldn’t be more solid. My parents are two of my favorite people on the planet, and I’m very close with them. They continue to teach and guide me. That’s a big difference. Also, my sibling is nothing like the one on the show. But overall, it’s been a similar journey — a movement from chaos to stillness.
Yitzi: That’s great. This is our signature question. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success, and I’m sure you’ve learned a ton over the years. Do you have five things that you know now that you wish someone had told you when you first started?
Kelli: You will never have time like this again. Don’t feel pressured. Go ahead and travel and take that job as a river raft guide. It’s okay not to go to school — you’re going to learn from failure. And finally, live beside a body of water.
Those are my five.
Yitzi: Can you share with our readers the self-care routines that help your body, mind, and heart thrive?
Kelli: I really enjoy working out, and I love my first cup of coffee in the morning, just staring off into nothing. I’m also very lucky to have a husband who takes really good care of me, and I’m so grateful for that. Finding a partner who you want to take care of and who takes care of you is a big part of self-care.
With kids, it’s funny — you can be so tired, absolutely exhausted. Then you jump into the next thing with your kids, and suddenly you’re laughing your ass off, and that exhaustion just fades away. I trust in that ebb and flow of my own energy because I know it will return. That’s something I remind myself of often.
Yitzi: That’s great. This is an aspirational question. Kelli, because of the great work you’re doing and the platform you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?
Kelli: Be curious. Just be curious. Leave everything you think aside and keep asking questions.
How about you? What’s yours?
Yitzi: I think there are a lot of things, but one idea that stands out to me is the spread of humility. Not in the sense of thinking you’re low, but in realizing that things don’t have to revolve around you and that you’re not better than anyone else. Humility is a tool that helps people trust you and want to work with you. In a society so focused on self-promotion and bragging about accomplishments, I think humility can actually be more effective.
Kelli: Absolutely. I totally agree.
Yitzi: Oh, great. This is what we call our matchmaker question. Sometimes it works. Is there a person in the U.S. or anywhere in the world with whom you’d like to collaborate, have a power lunch, or share coffee? We could tag them on social media and maybe connect you.
Kelli: I just watched The Bike Riders last night, and I think Tom Hardy is so brilliant. He’s so versatile, so talented. I believe he collaborated with his dad on something — I don’t want to speak out of turn, but I think that’s true. It’s like he’s not limited to just one medium. He’s an artist who uses whatever part of his brain is going to create for him and serve as an outlet. I find that very admirable.
Yitzi: We’ll do our best to get his attention. Even if he doesn’t respond, it’ll be out there, permanently on the internet. So, how can our readers continue to follow your work online? How can they support you in any way possible?
Kelli: Oh, my gosh. I don’t know! We’re all just… if you see something new with me in it, go ahead and check it out.
Yitzi: That’s great. Kelli, this has been such a delightful conversation. I’m so happy you agreed to this, and I hope we can do it again next year.
Kelli: Yeah, sure. Why not?
Kelli Giddish Of ‘Law & Order Special Victims Unit’ On The Five Things You Need To Create A Highly… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.