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Law & Order: Special Victims Unitis one of the longest-running police procedural shows in history. The spin-off ofLaw & Orderis known for its generally darker criminal cases in the New York City Police Department’s 16th precinct. However, some of these chilling cases are often inspired by real events.
In one such real events-inspired episode, actress Hilary Duff appeared as a guest star. The role was one of the darkest in Duff’s career, as she is otherwise known for her more comedic or dramatic performances. Moreover, the shocking reality behind the episode’s criminal case will shock fans, and here is what you need to know about it.
Hilary Duff’s Darkest Role Came inLaw & Order: SVU
ActressHilary Duffrose to prominence with her performance as the titular character in the Disney Channel sitcomLizzie McGuire.More recently, she played the lead role of Sophie Tompkins in the short-lived sitcomHow I Met Your Father.
Despite playing mostly comedic roles for most of her career, Duff’s darkest role came with a guest starring spot onLaw & Order: SVU. Duff appeared in Season 10 Episode 19, titledSelfish. She played the role of Ashlee Walker, a single mother raising her 11-month-old with the help of her parents.
In the episode, Walker’s daughter goes missing and an investigation is started only for the girl’s dead body to be discovered. As a result, Walker is arrested for her past as a habitually irresponsible mother. However, it is soon revealed that Walker wasn’t at fault as the baby died from measles because of another mother’s anti-vaccine stance.
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The episode explores the challenges of motherhood and themes of child neglect through Duff’s character. The actress delivered a believable and compelling performance despite her guest star billing. As a result,Duff’s darkest role yet has also been namedone of the best guest appearances on the show.
The Real-Life Case That Inspired Hilary Duff’sLaw & Order: SVUEpisode
The episode’s story was very loosely inspired by the real-life death of Caylee Anthony. Following the girl’s disappearance, her mother Casey Marie Anthony was arrested on charges of first-degree murder in October 2008.She was also charged with aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter of a child, and four counts of providing false information to police.
After Caylee’s remains were found in December 2008, the police were unable to determine a cause of death. As a result, Casey’s trial largely went ahead with largely on circumstantial evidence. The trial eventuallyconcluded in 2011 with the court finding Casey not guiltyof first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and aggravated manslaughter of a child.
However, she was convicted of four counts of misdemeanor. Casey was released in July 2011 on account of the time she had already served in prison. While theLaw & Order: SVUepisode borrows the child neglect aspect from the case, it takes several liberties when adapting it into a television episode.
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For instance, the age of the daughter is changed from two years old to 11 months old. Moreover, the case takes an entirely new direction and by extension conclusion with measles revealed as the cause of the girl’s death in the episode. Hence, the episode is only partially based on real events and not an accurate depiction of a serious criminal investigation.
Law & Order: SVUis streaming on Peacock.
Pratik Handore
Content Writer
Articles Published :1771
With a keen interest in comic book movies and blockbuster franchises, Pratik usually covers news and updates on the DCU, MCU, Star Wars, and more.A die-hard fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Pratik spends most of his time exploring different storytelling mediums that invoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Other filmmakers whose works have deeply influenced him include Alfred Hitchcock, James Gunn, and Guillermo del Toro.
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Hilary Duff
