CHRIS NOTH JOINS NBC'S "LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT"

CHRIS NOTH RETURNS AS SERIES REGULAR ON "LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT"

Noth to Split Duties with Star Vincent D'Onofrio

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- February 9, 2005 -- Chris Noth, who played Detective Mike Logan on "Law & Order" from 1990 to 1995, has signed a deal with Wolf Films and NBC Universal Television Studio to bring the Logan character back as a series regular on "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."

Noth will join "Criminal Intent" star Vincent D'Onofrio (Detective Robert Goren) as a lead detective in the Major Case Squad. D'Onofrio and Noth will split the case loads, with each fronting 11 episodes for the series' fifth season.

Noth (as Logan) appears in this Sunday's (February 13) episode of "Criminal Intent," airing 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on NBC.

"The hardest job in show business is being a single lead on an hour drama series," creator and executive producer Dick Wolf explained. "Vincent has done an unbelievable job for the last four seasons, but after 3 ? years, the grueling pace finally took its toll. This is an ideal solution so that Vincent can continue to do the incredible work that has become the hallmark of the role. I've worked with Chris over the past 17 years, and bringing him on to reprise one of the most popular characters in the history of the brand, is a win-win situation."

Executive producer and showrunner Rene Balcer added, "Having written for Chris during the five years he was on 'Law & Order,' this is a unique opportunity for me to revisit an old friend and take Detective Mike Logan into unchartered territory. We like trying new things at 'Criminal Intent,' whether it's asking our fans to decide a character's fate or using rotating leads. As Vincent said, cool counts, and we think this idea's pretty cool. Adding Chris and a new partner to the mix allows us to create a fresh dynamic while remaining true to what's made 'Criminal Intent' a success."

"I love this show, and I hope to stay with it as long as it is on the air," D'Onofrio added. "After recently working with Chris on an episode, I am excited about what he will bring to the show creatively, and my reduced workload will be very welcome."

"It's great to be back working with Dick and Rene and to be in the 'Law & Order' family again," Noth said. "I felt very much at home when I did the guest shot and realized how terrific the cast and crew are, it was an offer that I couldn't refuse."

In this Sunday's episode ("Stress Position") Detective Mike Logan, who was exiled to Staten Island after punching a city Councilman ten years ago, is brought in to the Major Case Squad to help Detectives Goren and Eames (Kathryn Erbe) solve a case that involves Logan's girlfriend, who works as a nurse at a Federal prison.

Noth reprised his role as Logan in the 1998 NBC telefilm "Exiled," which was one of the top-rated television films for the season. Wolf and NBC Universal Television Studio have other Logan telefilms in development.

"Law & Order: Criminal Intent" is one of the top-rated dramas on NBC, and recently garnered record prices for its syndication sale to USA and Bravo. The series stars D'Onofrio, Erbe, Courtney B. Vance as A.D.A. Carver and Jamey Sheridan as Capt. James Deakins. Dick Wolf, Rene Balcer, Fred Berner and Peter Jankowski are Executive Producers.