Former Law & Order: SVU assistant district attorneys Stephanie March and Diane Neal are returning to the NBC drama for its 13th season, executive producer Warren Leight said today. March, who played ADA Alexandra Cabot during seven seasons, and Neal, who played ADA Casey Novak during six seasons, will appear an undetermined number of episodes. They join newly hired detectives Danny Pino and Kelli Giddish in the cast, which includes returnees Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T and Richard Belzer. The series will air in the fall Wednesdays at 10 PM.


YES!
I love Diane Neal. Glad she’s coming back. I thought they might move Terrence Howard to NY but this is great news.
This is AMAZING news!
Finally, a smart decision in a year where most of the scripts and decisions have been dumb. Just don’t bury these two actors in the last ten minutes making boring motions in court. They are two of the major breakout stars in the series history. Treat them like it. Both have shined in stories outside the courtroom. Sorry, but Hargitay and Meloni were getting very old, as were the stories.
Not sure I understand bringing both of them back, but whatever keeps Christine Lahti off the screen works for me.
ISTR that they killed off Christine Lahti’s character, so that part is already fait accompli.
Alex and Olivia, Alex and Olivia, Alex and Olivia. Please, let it be mostly Alex and Olivia.
Great news the show is exciting me more now than ever
Riddle me this: Why the hell haven’t they made Sam Waterston a series semi-regular yet, since he’s still D.A. of New York County? That would GREATLY benefit their ratings, especially among old-school L&O fans.
Simple answer: that would cost money. If they can’t afford Meloni, they can’t afford Waterston.
Waterson is working on the new Sorkin series for HBO. They may bring him back for a Sweeps Week though.
@CaseyL: Maybe you should watch the episode where Lahti’s character dies you’ll probably enjoy it. That said it’s great they’re both coming back.
Dead show walking.
I was happy with the news. I like more than Sthephanie March. But because two promoters? Unless they switch. For me is SVU Mariska Hargitay. While she’ll be seeing on the screen. Mariska is a fantastic actress and very beautiful. And Olivia Benson is courageous, determined, strong. But also compassionate, generous, kind. It is impossible not to love her.
In all of this where is talk of Dann Florek’s Captain Cragen?! He has grounded this show from day 1. Been working with all of these people.
I am wondering why Munch (Richard Belzer) has had such a small part this past year (2010-2011) when he is the best thing on the show!!! I personally could shoot Stabler myself he’s such a dick-head!! And as someone pointed out he and Mariska are getting a little to old I just think their walking through their roles drawing their pay!!! I caught a rerun the other night from when the show started and it WAS SO GOOD!!!!! Now it’s just mostly boring–Richard Belzer has ALWAYS BEEN THE BEST!!!!!
I love her (Diane Neal) on NCIS and would love to see her on NCIS permanently! ADA Casey Novak (Diane Neal) is fantastic. I’m glad she is shooting episodes for Fall 2011.