Mariska Hargitay** has signed a new deal with Universal Television to return to NBC's long-running crime drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The actress made the announcement via her official Twitter account on Saturday, May 25.

"Happy weekend," said the Golden Globe winner, who's played detective Olivia Benson since the show premiered in September 1999. "It's official. Season 15 -- I'll be back!" Hargitay's good friend, actress Debra Messing, retweeted the news and added, "Let the celebrating begin!"

NBC renewed Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in late April in the midst of Hargitay's contract negotiations. Her character's storyline was left open-ended in the May 22 season finale, with Olivia being held at gunpoint in her home by a serial rapist.

Hargitay earned $500,000 per episode in Season 14, making her television's highest-paid actress. The details of her new contract have not been revealed. The 49-year-old has received eight consecutive Emmy Award nominations since 2004, winning once in 2006.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit returns Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EST this fall on NBC.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Mariska Hargitay Returning for Law & Order: SVU Season 15