Watch Me Tonight On Law & Order: SVU!
Last Thursday I was on NBC’s Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. On Sunday night, I was seen on PBS’s Finding Your Roots. On Monday, I made an appearance on CBS’s 2 Broke Girls and tonight I can be seen as a special guest on NBC’s Law & Order: SVU! I was so thrilled when the wonderful crew at Law & Order invited me to play the role of Eleanor Hastings, the headmaster of a private school. During the episode, Hastings is interviewed by the detectives, who are seeking information about one of the teachers who used to work at the school, who is being accused of inappropriate conduct with a student. I hope you’ll watch tonight at 10PM on Law & Order: SVU. Check your local listings.
1 The title of the episode is 'Learning Curve' and the case being investigated revolves around alleged inappropriate conduct between a teacher and a student.
2 The scene takes place in a fictional private school.
3 I play Eleanor Hastings, the headmistress at Linden Forest Academy, where the teacher in question used to work.
4 These scenes were filmed at an actual school, the Marymount Girls School in the Pratt Mansion, located on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.
5 This Beaux Arts masterpiece was the home to Florence Vanderbilt, but was purchased by Mother Joseph Butler, the founder of Marymount School.
6 Typically, the show is shot on location around New York City and also in a studio space in Chelsea Piers where the original Law and Order series was filmed.
7 Filming on location, as opposed to a studio, can be tricky because of space limitations.
8 This is not my first guest starring role. I've also appeared on 'Ugly Betty,' 'All My Children,' 'The Simpsons,' and just this week on '2 Broke Girls.'
9 Mariska Hargitay plays Detective Olivia Bensen. Mariska is the daughter of actress Jayne Mansfield and has been on the show since the beginning.
10 This current season has seen many guests stars, like Chloë Sevigny, Harry Connick, Jr., Gilbert Gottfried, Natasha Lyonne, and Mark Consuelos.
11 The Pratt Mansion boasts one of New York City’s most impressive marble staircases and there is extraordinary detailed craftsmanship throughout the building.
12 Talking to Mariska on set - This is the 13th season of 'Law & Order' and NBC has renewed them for a 14th.
13 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is the only show of the franchise still on the air and is quite popular with viewers.
14 The Pratt Mansion is also rented out for many private and corporate functions.
15 My publicist, Susan Magrino, was also on hand during the filming.
16 I did a quick interview with Caroline Golu, SVU’s behind-the-scenes cameraperson. Be sure to look online for the exclusive footage!
17 She asked me about my character, Eleanor Hastings, and how I related to her.
18 The set of Eleanor Hastings's office
19 My executive assistant, Melany Lynch, my make-up artist, Daisy Schwartzberg, and Kelly Galvin from the Susan Magrino Agency
20 It always astonishes me how many people and how much equipment is needed to film one scene.
21 Last minute make-up touches from Daisy before filming commenced
22 Mariska's role on SVU has garnered her many award nominations and wins, including an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
23 Lights, camera, action!
24 The detectives interview my character to gain insight on their suspect.
25 A very nice shot of me with the beautiful and talented Mariska Hargitay.
26 We were joined by Kelli Giddish, who plays Detective Amanda Rollins.
27 Here I am with director Jon Herron.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
LOVE that show, can/t wait to see it.....I DVR each week.....
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy :) | May 9th, 2012 at 1:50 am
What fun! We missed the other shows, but we'll be sure to DVR this episode.
Lights, camera, ACTION!
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon | May 9th, 2012 at 6:25 am
You know Martha, I could see you as a headmaster of a private school, and I think the name "Eleanor Hastings" fits you perfectly! Law and Order SVU is very popular in my family, my grandmother and sister love it. I'll be sure to DVR this episode! By the way, I couldn't help notice the painting in the background in pic #22, "Linden Forrest". How neat, it reminds me of the Linden Allee on your farm, which is my favorite!
Posted by: Cindy F | May 9th, 2012 at 7:48 am
Martha, I can't wait to see this! One of my favourite people starring on one of my favourite shows! A dream come true. I have watched Law & Order for well over a decade and the SVU series is the best. Mariska Hargitay is such an excellent actress and the writers on the show are brilliant. Really looking forward to it.
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | May 9th, 2012 at 9:00 am
Hi Martha,
We’ll be watching! All versions of Law and Order are playing in our house all the time. My sister watches all the new shows and the reruns in the middle of the night. I asked her to let me know when you might be on there but now I can let her know you’ll be on tonight. An acquaintance on Twitter had a walk-on part on that show but I missed seeing the episode. In some of your pictures here, I’m surprised they have room for the camera with all the people present but of course you are used to a lot of people on set. Well ‘Eleanor Hastings’, I’ll catch you later tonight. Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 9th, 2012 at 9:28 am
Amazingly, you have done it again, there must be no end to your tireless activities teaching us LIVING.
Posted by: ann | May 9th, 2012 at 10:04 am
Hi Martha, My favorite TV Shows have always been the ones with you as a host or a guest and now seeing you on more shows as an actress is really fun! I recall some of the prior shows you were on and can't wait to see you tonight on Law & Order:SVU which is one of my favorite evening shows! Thanks for sharing these photos and information about producing such a great show, SVU! I am always amazed about how much goes on behind the scenes and seeing you in these photos is fantastic! You look absolutely stunning in these photos and as happy as a lark! Also fun to see the SVU group, Susan Magrino, Daisy Schwartzberg, and Kelly Galvin there with you! Fun, fun, fun, what surprises will you have next for us?! Glad that F,S,&GK are doing a bit better and off to see their visit to the vet, again! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 9th, 2012 at 10:17 am
So much fun! I'll DVR you tonight.
I also have a vague memory of taping you years ago on a sitcom with Ellen DeGeneres - I think it was a thanksgiving episode of some sort.
Posted by: stephanie | May 9th, 2012 at 11:13 am
Martha,
Aren't you just turning into quite the actress! I'll be watching tonight. Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | May 9th, 2012 at 11:55 am
How exciting! I declare, Martha, you're like Santa Claus--you're everywhere, you're everywhere! And I, for one, love that you are. Congratulations!
Posted by: Kim | May 9th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
i must say!!! your certainly held your own with looks and style with those stars!!!!!YGG!!!!!let's see more guest appearences in movies too!!!!
Posted by: memoir | May 9th, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Fabulous Martha. Loving your show too. The show on Iceland was just fabulous! Each show is just great. Thank you so much for all the quality you put into everything you do!
Posted by: Gretchen | May 9th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Wow can't wait to watch the episode. You look beautiful
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | May 9th, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Martha.....You are a total stunner!!!! How do you do it all and still look so magnificently gorgeous!!!
Posted by: Jessica | May 12th, 2012 at 2:22 am
Enjoyed your appearance on the show - what a gorgeous pictures of you and Mariska!
Posted by: Katrina in Seattle | May 21st, 2012 at 3:21 am
Why is your TV show no longer on Hallmark? The new shows are a joke! Is a new TV show in the works? I hope so.
Posted by: Kathleen Thalen | January 7th, 2013 at 9:05 am