The "Law & Order" Franchise Makes Some More Changes

At press tour, Dick Wolf, the creator of the “Law & Order” franchise, announced that Chris Noth will get a new partner—at least temporarily.

Alicia Witt (“Cybill,” “Two Weeks Notice”) will join the cast of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” to replace Julianne Nicholson, who will miss some episodes due to maternity leave.

But she may not be the only one missing episodes. Wolf said he had “no idea” how Noth’s possible involvement in the “Sex and the City” movie will impact “CI.”

“Criminal Intent” premieres Thursday, October 4th at 10 p.m. on USA…

Meanwhile, over on the mothership (the orignial "Law & Order"), Linus Roache (“Kidnapped”) will come on board as the new ADA. As I told you earlier, Sam Waterston will be the new DA, replacing Fred Thompson. Roache joins his “Kidnapped” co-star Jeremy Sisto, who will be Jesse Martin’s new partner. Wolf said he was a fan of “Kidnapped,” which led him to the hirings…

Roache had been announced as playing Julianna Marguiles' husband in the FOX show "Canterbury Law," so I presume that deal has fallen through (or their marriage falls apart very quickly)...

Speaking of Martin, he has only signed on for the first 13 episodes of “Law & Order.” If the show’s run is extended, Martin may leave or they may cast another detective. “Jesse has been doing this for a while. He’s kind of conflicted about it,” Wolf told critics…

So what do the “L&O” shows have planned for “Green is Universal,” the environmentally friendly programming week I told you about earlier? Wolf said he didn’t know anything about it. Oops…