Last month, we reported that USA Networks was considering cancelling its long-running Law & Order: Criminal Intent series. After a number of different scenarios were supposedly bandied about, the cable channel has made up its mind — or has it?

The spin-off series follows investigations of high-profile cases. The show moved from NBC to USA Networks in 2007. Up until last year, it starred Vincent D’Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe. This past season starred Jeff Goldblum, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Saffron Burrows.

Due to the TV show’s uncertain future, Goldblum decided to exit. The rest of the cast’s contracts expired over the summer.

USA has now decided to both renew and cancel Criminal Intent. It’ll come back for a 10th and final season of eight episodes. This will bring the series total to 195 installments.

On the positive side, D’Onofrio is returning as Detective Goren, a character he’s played in 133 episodes. Other castmembers are still in negotiations to return.

Executive producer Dick Wolf said, “Only time will tell if this is a fond farewell or a renaissance for Detective Robert Goren but everyone is ecstatic about going back to work on a show that’s a passion for all of us.”

Interestingly, Jeff Wachtel, president of original programming for USA, doesn’t sound totally committed to ending the show. He said “We have been the fortunate caretakers of this legendary series, and we plan to give it the world-class farewell it so richly deserves. Dick and his team promise to create a major event for television with incredible surprises. The plan is for this to be the series finale, but with a Dick Wolf franchise, one really never knows until it’s over.”

The 10th and final (?) season of Law & Order Criminal Intent is expected to air in 2011.

What do you think? Are you happy there will be some closure for the series? Do you think Criminal Intent should continue and return for season 11?

Image courtesy USA.