Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series)

The Newsroom (2017)

Bonnie Somerville: Heidi Sorenson

Photos 

Quotes 

• Olivia Benson : Did you know Amy James?

  Heidi Sorenson : She had... problems.

  Olivia Benson : He had tape on her!

  [noticing Heidi's reaction] 

  Olivia Benson : Does he have tape on you?

  Heidi Sorenson : No!

  Olivia Benson : We can fight this.

  Heidi Sorenson : Don't judge me. And don't worry, I'm not gonna kill myself.

  Olivia Benson : All right. Well, when you're ready to have a serious conversation, you know where I am.

• Olivia Benson : Is it true that you're re-negotiating your contract with "HNT"?

  Heidi Sorenson : I'm exploring my options.

  Olivia Benson : Is that why you don't wanna tell me the truth about what happened this morning?

  Heidi Sorenson : I should never have said his name out loud like that.

  Olivia Benson : Why? Because it isn't true or because you're scared of getting fired?

• Heidi Sorenson : They are replacing me with Margery Evans. Officially, I'm "on vacation".

  Olivia Benson : I see.

  Heidi Sorenson : You were right. When I went to apologize to Harold, he forced me onto my knees, and he said I had to show him how serious I was. I actually thought that would work, that I'd get my job back. He screwed me in private, that's one thing, but he just screwed me in public.

  Olivia Benson : And you're ready to go after Coyle now?

  Heidi Sorenson : I know what it looks like. That I'm doing this because I got fired, but that's not the reason.

  Olivia Benson : Oh, I believe you. Let's get this guy.

• Olivia Benson : If we want to take it to court, you need more for the jury. So, Heidi, did you tell anyone about the assault? Send a text? Send an e-mail?

  Heidi Sorenson : No. Margery was the one person I confided in.

  Olivia Benson : Look, I know that you want to go after Coyle criminally, but... but the fact is you may have more leverage pursuing a civil case.

  [as they talk, Benson's phone buzzes] 

  Heidi Sorenson : This isn't about money.

  Olivia Benson : Do you know a Gwendolyn Gates?

  Heidi Sorenson : Yeah, she was an anchor at "HNT" ten years ago.

  Olivia Benson : She's on her way to our squad room. She says that Harold Coyle assaulted her, too.

• Heidi Sorenson : It started day one, my job interview. Coyle said to me "Oh, you're beautiful, you're bright, you could be a star. But I interviewed five other women today that are just as qualified and I'm going to hire whoever shows me she wants it the most."

  Olivia Benson : And then what happened?

  Heidi Sorenson : He put his hand inside my blouse. Uh, and his tongue in my mouth. I was shocked, frozen. But I didn't run out of the room and I got the job.

  Amanda Rollins : And the behavior continued?

  Heidi Sorenson : Yeah. Touching, kissing, groping. He would demand that I wear... lacy pantie, thigh-high stockings. Before I went on the air, I'd have to give him a private fashion show and pretend to seduce him, and he would tape me.

  Olivia Benson : How long did this go on?

  Heidi Sorenson : Years. And I didn't think things could get any worse, until January they did.

  Olivia Benson : Okay. Tell us about that.

  Heidi Sorenson : The ratings were high and my contract was up, and I told Coyle if he wanted me to stay at "HNT", I wanted a promotion. He... he locked the door, threw me onto a couch, pulled up my skirt... and he raped me. I fought him, but I couldn't get away. He said if I complained, he'd release the tapes that he had, or worse. And that if I wasn't happy at the morning show, he'd hire Margery Evans.

  Amanda Rollins : So you didn't report it.

  Heidi Sorenson : No. I straightened myself up, walked out, and I went back to work. Like a good girl. Like a good, stupid girl.

  Olivia Benson : Did you confide in anyone?

  Heidi Sorenson : The irony is Margery was the one person I told. I was trying to warn her.