Mariska Hargitay Returns To Work On ‘Law & Order: SVU’

First Published: March 23, 2009 3:19 PM EDT Credit: Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Christopher Meloni attends the Broadway opening of ‘God Of Carnage’ at Bernard Jacobs Theatre on March 22, 2009 in New York CityAfter almost three weeks away from her hit NBC show, “Law & Order: SVU,” Mariska Hargitay returned to work on Monday, Access Hollywood has confirmed.

Mariska first underwent surgery in January after suffering a partially collapsed lung and returned to work later that month. The 44-year-old actress was hospitalized again on March 3.

Following her recent stint in the hospital, a rep for the actress said in a statement released to Access, “Mariska is recovering well and is expected to return to ‘SVU’ in the next couple of weeks.”

News of the actress’ return delighted her “SVU” co-star Chris Meloni.

“We’re happy to have her [back,]” Chris told Access at the “Gods of Carnage” premiere on Broadway Sunday night in New York City.

Chris said he is even planning to get her a little “welcome back” gift.

“Maybe I’ll buy her a rose or something from one of the corner delis, something special like that,” he said.

The “SVU” actor said Mariska had been keeping everyone updated on her health during her absence.

“Pretty regularly, we E-mail, text, or call,” he told Access. “She’s doing great.”

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