“Law & Order” veteran Chris Noth is set to return to the franchise this Sunday (Feb. 13), bringing his Det. Mike Logan over to “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” Noth’s visit is no mere guest appearance, though. Starting next season, Noth and current “Criminal Intent” star Vincent D’Onofrio will split the show’s case load, with Noth coming on board as a series regular.
Starting in the show’s fifth season, Logan and D’Onofrio’s Det. Robert Goren will each do time as lead detective on the show’s Major Case Squad. Each actor will front 11 “Criminal Intent” episodes.
“The hardest job in show business is being a single lead on an hour drama series,” creator and executive producer Dick Wolf says. “Vincent has done an unbelievable job for the last four seasons, but after 3.5 years, the grueling pace finally took its toll. This is an ideal solution so that Vincent can continue to do the incredible work that has become the hallmark of the role. I’ve worked with Chris over the past 17 years, and bringing him on to reprise one of the most popular characters in the history of the brand, is a win-win situation.”
From 1990-95, Noth played Logan on the “Law & Order” mothership, reprising the character in the 1998 telefilm “Exiled.”
“It’s great to be back working with Dick and [showrunner] Rene [Balcer] and to be in the ‘Law & Order’ family again,” Noth said. “I felt very much at home when I did the guest shot and realized how terrific the cast and crew are, it was an offer that I couldn’t refuse.”
D’Onofrio was hospitalized twice last fall after fainting incidents on the show’s set. At the time, Noth’s name was put forth as a possible replacement or fill-in for the ailing actor. The intense actor seems to welcome the chance for an occasional respite.
“I love this show, and I hope to stay with it as long as it is on the air,” D’Onofrio says. “After recently working with Chris on an episode, I am excited about what he will bring to the show creatively, and my reduced workload will be very welcome.”
Credit: Zap2It.com
