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.
This is clearly my all time favorite show on TV. I am thrilled that Vince and Kathryn are coming back because they were the best. Jeff and Chris were OK but Goren and Ames were irreplaceable. I am sorry to see this show go because it was the best of all of the Law and Order series because of Goren and Ames (AKA Vince and Kathryn).
keep the shows coming–I love the original detectives–the change is what hurt the show–and also bring back Chris Noth–I LOVE HIM
Even if it does get cancelled, the network has done the decent thing by letting the show go for the 8 episode finale so that Dick Wolf and his team, who have so obviously lovingly crafted this show over the past 11 years or so, can give this show a great send off. This is what NBC should have done, and apparently, what they were supposed to do with Law and Order – i.e. give it a 21st season. Schmucks and shame on them.
I have totally had it with USA network. The only show they run the devil out of is Law and Order SVU. Tuesdays is totally SVU day. The rest of the week you ususally get a few episodes of Criminal Intent then back to SVU. If you want to cancel a show cancel that one. You have a hit with Vincent regardless if anyone else returns. You totally ruined the show when you let all the main characters go but now trying to figure out how to bring back the star. If he is coming back to be treated like… Read more »
PLEASE bring back CI with VINCENT & KATHERINE!!!!
PLEASE bring back Vincent and Katherine. If Katherine decides not to come back PLEASE bring back Vincent for he is the best! He made Goren so believable. Vincent is a GREAT actor!
this show is one of the best writtten best acted shows on tv. PLEASE dont cancel! It seems all the intelligent shows that require a little investment of thought always go away please dont do it. I am a HUGE fan
I absolutely LOVE Vincent & this show & am so disappointed that it’s the final season…I’ve been an avid watcher since it came out…I’ve been watching all the re-runs at least 8-10 times each! Goren & Eames were my favourite characters of all of them, as I watch SVU also but always preferred CI. Wish they’d keep it going with the original cast…please don’t cancel & please bring back Vincent & Kathryn! I don’t want it to ever end!! lol
Loved Jeff Goldblum – sorry to see he’s gone. I think Criminal Intent was the best of all the Law and Order(s).
Detective Goren is our 21st century Sherlock Holmes. As we have followed his storied cases, his arch-enemies and eventual devolution to madness, I have come to become deeply entranced with D’onofrio’s character portrayal. I have missed him greatly in the series while I never was able to really connect with Goldblum’s character. If this series is finished, I can honestly say I will truly miss it. I have never really cared about a series like this one. Bad decision to cancel.
Hope it comes back. Hated it last year with Jeff Goldblum. What a mistake getting rid of Vincent D’Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe. Can’t wait.
Better yet, make Vincent D’Onofrio an offer he can’t resist and keep him for many seasons to come!!!
Please keep the show going. It is my favorite of all the Law and Orders, and I had accepted the change of all the main characters. I can’t imagine who besides Jeff Goldblum could take Vincent D’Onofrio’s place, but you should not give up trying to find another edgy character. Cancel Law and Order LA if you have to cancel one of them.
Hope it stays on!!!!
I hate to see my favorite show and characters go.