Jeff Goldblum to replace Chris Noth on "Criminal Intent"

NEW YORK — Chris Noth is leaving “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” at the end of this season and will be replaced by Jeff Goldblum, the show's producers announced today.

Goldblum, best known for his roles in movies such as “Jurassic Park” and “Independence Day,” will come aboard the procedural drama as the newest Major Case Squad detective.

“Jeff's presence will add a new dimension to an already successful show,” said creator and executive producer Dick Wolf.

Goldblum’s arrival is the most significant change on the program since it moved last year to USA Network from its original home on NBC. The procedural, which is airing its seventh season, was recently picked up for another 16-episode season.

Jeff Wachtel, USA’s executive vice president of original programming USA Network, called Goldblum “one of the most exciting actors around.”

“We are very excited to see what new moves he will bring to the Major Case Squad,” Wachtel said.

No other cast changes on the show are anticipated, said Audrey Davis, a spokeswoman for Wolf.

Noth, who recently reprised his role as Mr. Big in the “Sex and the City” movie, played Det. Mike Logan on the last three seasons of “Criminal Intent,” alternating episodes with costar Vincent D’Onofrio. Before that, he played Logan on the original “Law & Order” for five years.

"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 said. “We all wish him the best.”

-- Matea Gold

Comments

[Andrea]

Law and order ci will not be the same without chris noth.bringing in jeff Goldblum is a big mistake.

[Theresa]

Criminal Intent will not be the same without Chris Noth. Mr. Noth brought life back into the program. He is a hugh part of the Law & Order family. I cannot imagine Jeff Goldblum filling his shoes. Criminal Intent was getting old until Mr. Noth was brought into the picture. I know the decision for him to leave has already been made but I think it's a big mistake and it might bring Criminal Intent to an end.

[Niteowl40]

yea.....criminal intent will not be the same without north....I'll watch a few episodes to see what kinda guy he's like....but after that who knows

[MICHAEL]

Sadly Chris Noth is leaving a show that had reached its apex before he arrived and went back up in interest with his acting. He will be missed. It's time for Dick Wolf to retire from all his Law and Order shows since he has forgot about entertaining and lives on pusing idelogy.

[D.S. Dille]

Watching Chris Noth leave CI is almost as heartbreaking as finding he'll be replaced by an actor who is not up to the task. I have always seen Goldblum's characters as barely functional congenital idiots, and I have no respect for him as a serious actor. I doubt he'll make the cut, and this could be the end of CI. As good as D'Onofrio and the rest of the cast is, it was Noth's history in the Law and Order series that made his character believable and easy to identify with. He will be sorely missed.

[Kas]

I was just catching up on the last two episodes of CI and heard them say prior to last Sunday's epi that it was Chris Noth's last show. I wasn't sure I heard right and came right up to Google it and confirm.

This sucks! I really do like Jeff Goldblum in all his other roles; I think he's great. I hope he makes this character his own, but boy - too bad the show couldn't have BOTH of them! Chris is great as Det. Logan.

He'll be sorely missed - again! L&O won't be the same, regardless of how good JB turns out to be.

:(

[Tatyana]

No Chris Noth? Ridiculous. He grew into Criminal Intent well. If it was his decision to leave, he has made a mistake. Jeff Goldblum is another mistake. Good luck, guys.

[Mercy]

I liked Chris Noth too, but Jeff Goldblum is perfect for the spot Chris leaves behind.

My favorite show a few seasons ago was Jeff Goldblum playing a detective. It was a quirky little show and only lasted a few episodes...they cancelled all the good ones that year...but he was very enjoyable and weird enough to play the game with Goren.

Looking forward to seeing the new episodes.

[KIm]

I have always enjoyed Dinofrio on this show and was skeptical when Chris Noth came back to the law and order fold. He turned out to be quirky in a different way from Dinofrio. I expect Jeff Goldblum will move things a different direction. Lets hope the characters continue to be well thought out, balanced when necessary with enough surprise to allow them to grow.