Self-Made (Law & Order: Criminal Intent) - Cast Changes

Cast Changes

While Criminal Intent was in transition from NBC to USA Network; cast members Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, and Chris Noth salaries were frozen, the prospect of the salary freeze wasn't sitting well with them, who typically enjoy at least a five percent year-to-year bump. In the end they accepted a non-pay raise for the new season and they returned; keeping their haul at $350K for each of the 11 episodes they shot.

Julianne Nicholson was temporarily replaced by Alicia Witt who played Detective Nola Falacci, a new partner to Detective Logan, while Nicholson was on maternity leave. Nicholson returned in the episode "Contract," which aired on June 15, 2008 (with In Plain Sight's Mary McCormack guest starring).

Chris Noth decided to leave the series at the end of the season; Noth told TV Guide, "When others couldn't get television shows produced in New York, Dick Wolf found a way to do it, and as a New Yorker I truly appreciate all that he has done for the city. The last few years have been fantastic, and both sides are happy with the result. 'All's well that ends well.'" Noth said the split was "totally mutual." He added, "The show keeps morphing and always finds new people. I'm gonna miss everyone I work with every day." Creator Dick Wolf said about Noth's departure "Chris has been a member of the "Law & Order" family since the beginning, and Mike Logan is one of the most popular detectives in the history of television," Wolf says. "We all wish him the best."

Jeff Goldblum was set to replace Noth. "Jeff's presence will add a new dimension to an already successful show," Dick Wolf said in a statement.