Jenna Bush Hager is opening up about a secret wish she’s been carrying for years — one that leads her far from the bright lights of morning television and straight into the shadowy universe of Law & Order: SVU. And while many celebrities dream of sweeping courtroom monologues or high-stakes scenes with Olivia Benson, Jenna’s fantasy is far stranger, quieter, and much more unexpected.
During the November 24 episode of Today With Jenna and Friends, the conversation took a surprising turn when Jenna and co-host Andy Cohen sat down with Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez to discuss their new film Merrily We Roll Along. When Jenna learned that Mendez had recently guest-starred on Law & Order: SVU, something in her lit up — and the mystery she’d kept tucked away finally slipped out.
“That’s my dream,” she confessed, almost gleefully. “I want to play the dead person so bad.”
The audience laughed, but Jenna wasn’t joking. And this wasn’t the first time she’d revealed her oddly specific ambition. Back in July 2025, she told Law & Order star Tony Goldwyn about her desire to appear on the long-running NBC drama — but only as a lifeless body, a silent victim at the center of a case. Goldwyn, amused but honest, warned her that the role might not be as glamorous as it sounds.
“You’re lying there for hours and people are working around you,” he said, explaining that filming can be far more grueling than fans realize. “After 20 minutes you’re ready to get up, but they say, ‘No, you have 12 more hours on this slab.’”
But that hasn’t deterred Jenna. Something about the stillness, the challenge, or the simple absurdity of the situation continues to call to her. And fans have noticed: her fascination with the SVU world has become a recurring thread in interviews throughout the year.
For Jenna — a bestselling author, longtime Today host and mother of three — the dream is less about screen time and more about the thrill of stepping into a world completely unlike her own. It’s a playful fantasy, a small rebellion against the polished routine of morning TV. And if the opportunity ever arises, she seems more than ready.
Until then, viewers will have to settle for her candid confessions on air, where her sense of humor and her unexpected ambitions continue to surprise. And who knows? In the ever-twisting world of Law & Order, even the quietest dreams can find their way into an episode.
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