Law & Order
House isn’t the only television program shuttling out original characters. It was announced late last night that Law & Order: Criminal Intent is gearing up for dramatic cast changes during its upcoming ninth season that include four regular cast members leaving the Major Case Squad. Vincent D’Onofrio who plays Robert Goren, the startlingly intense and intuitive badge with his own sordid past, will exit next March. Who will he take with him?
Kathryn Erbe, who plays Goren’s partner Alex Eames, will also be phased out next season, along with Eric Bogosian, who plays the force’s captain. As reported earlier this year, Jeff Goldblum’s on-screen partner Julianne Nicholson (who played Megan Wheeler) will be replaced by Saffron Burrows.
Other details about the casting shake-up are still unclear. Law & Order’s franchise creator, Dick Wolf has dealt with his fair share of casting roulette in the past, often remarking how the viewers prefer the story lines to the actual actors: “I’m a firm believer that the Law & Order audience, in a sense looks forward to these casting changes.”
There is a chance that D’Onofrio could return for future guest appearances to assist the new central detective partnership played by Goldblum and Burrows.


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Posted 25 Sep 2009, 7:49 AM
"Dick Wolf has dealt with his fair share of casting roulette in the past, often remarking how the viewers prefer the story lines to the actual actors: 'I’m a firm believer that the Law & Order audience, in a sense looks forward to these casting changes.' " The man couldn't be more WRONG. He was lucky to have Vincent Donofrio, and he's got to be the stupidest person in Hollywood to let him go. This show is done.
Posted 25 Sep 2009, 7:50 AM
There wouldn't be so many cast members leaving, if Vincent hadn't snuck in jelly doughnuts after hours.
Posted 03 Nov 2009, 11:45 AM
Sorry, but donuts aren't the issue in Vincent's weight gain. As fewer and fewer actors delve into their characters with the same intensity and dedication as D'Onofrio, he immersed himself in the role of Orson Welles - complete with the weight gain that was mandatary to Welles' larger-than-life impact. Using the same method, he has captured the Goren character, made it evolve and has carried Wolf's plots into even finer realms. Eames couldn't possibly be Eames without Erbe. She has consistently brought depth, wry humor and enormous talent to complement D'Onofrio's role. While many, many gifted actors exist, there may be none who could replace Erbe's interpretation. As a retired TV/radio writer and programmer, I have to say that Wolf has committed role murder in letting these two get away. Shameless ego, sir.
Posted 25 Sep 2009, 9:05 AM
Vincent Donofrio gives the show its class. Without him, I will put up with Goldblum now and then, but--not Jeff's fault--Vincent has just the right back story and intensity for the role. It isn't the stories nearly as much as Vincent's edgy, nearly tragic performance that keeps me watching. And I bet there are a lot of folks out there like me. Dick Wolf is being foolish. Jeff and Vincent could alternate. Kathryn Erbe nails her role every time as Vincent's understanding sidekick with her irony shining through.
And Eric Bogosian is flawless. How can he be on the firing line, too?
Posted 25 Sep 2009, 9:46 AM
God, why do people watch these shows.
Posted 25 Sep 2009, 10:01 AM
I'm still mourning Lenny Briscoe.
Posted 25 Sep 2009, 10:06 AM
i agree with Lastparker. Vincent is a talented actor and truly reflects the "Criminal Intent" affect. Professionally he may not want to pigeon hole himself based on one character. I have seen him in several other productions ( besides Men in BLack) He commands a presence on screen. No disrepect to Jeff Goldblum who I think his a fine actor in his own right. As a loyal watcher of all the Law and order series I don't see him carrying the show. The concept of varied storied lines is fresh Dick Wolf. Please don't forget that Vincent and Kathryn talent for many seasons provide the base for storyline variety.
Posted 25 Sep 2009, 10:24 AM
Removing D'onofrio, Erbe, and Bogosian is an imbecilic moved on Wolf's part. I agree with the poster above "this show is done". Goldblum is a clown! Are they trying to turn CI into "Monk" I watch the show for the actors. After all you can read the stories in any newspaper which is where 90% of the plots come from. At any rate without these three actors, I have watched my last CI.
Posted 25 Sep 2009, 10:25 AM
While I like the addition of Jeff Goldblum over Chris Noth, the main reason that I watched the show was for D'Onofrio & Erbe. Oh well time to switch over to the reruns on Sleuth.
With Monk gone and L&O:CI dead why don't they just kill off pscyh to complete the whole thing.
Oh and one other thing "White Collar" hasn't even aired and I'm already sick of it. Over promote much?
Posted 25 Sep 2009, 10:49 AM
Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe are Law & Order CI...Jeff Goldblum is great...he and Vincent's characters compliment each other...Mr. Wolf states that viewers like the show and are not attached to the cast.. I disagree...I no longer watch the original Law & Order as I grew tired of the cast changes. The back storis of all the characters add interest and depth to the shows. Please rethink the cast changes. Keep D'Onofrio, Erbe and Bogosian - I will rethink my interest and loyalty to the show if these fine actors and the characters they portray leave.
Posted 25 Sep 2009, 11:52 AM
Well, I must admit, when tormented with Elizabeth Rohm for 6 years of L&O, I was desperately looking forward to a casting change. Unfortunately, she was there at a time when the writing was fantastic, so I suffered through her. It's an interesting strategy Wolf has: Why make your viewers enjoy the entire experience of the show when they'll gladly wince and cringe through bad acting anyway? With that thinking in mind, he boots Erbe and D'onofrio.... and gives us Saffron Burrows.
Why not just give the script to various New Yorkers to read on the street each week? That would be cheaper. And it can't be worse than Rohm. It really can't.
Posted 25 Sep 2009, 4:17 PM
I'm a huge Criminal Intent fan preferring Goren and Eames above all, liked Chris North's with Julianne Nicholson and could take or leave Saffron Burrows but do not care for Jeff Goldblum's at all. He is too quirky and sadly just over powers the show in my opinion.
I love Vincent D'Onofrio and am very concerned by his severe change in appearance, I hope he is not ill. I have heard stories that he is an alcoholic which led to his departure on the show, hope its not so. I would have liked to have seen Kathryn Erbe continue as Eames, her character shined a little more while D'Onofrio's Goren transitioned off...
Sadly after 8 yrs of being a die hard fan, I guess its time to find a new show, but it wont be the same...
Posted 25 Sep 2009, 8:14 PM
You can't blame someone as talented as D'Onofrio - and, lest we forget, Erbe - for wanting out after so many years. I'll just miss the continuing arc and frisson that seemed to finally be coming to a head after all these years. Bogosian's been amazing, and I just hope we get some kind of a huge denouement rather than a petering out. Then, we can see D'Onofrio in some non-arthouse films again, where he belongs.
Posted 26 Sep 2009, 2:20 PM
Well you can say goodbye to this viewer. I like Jeff Goldbloom, but I love Vincent D'Onofrio. He is what I looked forward to week after week. And Kathryn Erbe is the best partner. Why do people mess with the shows I like.
Posted 26 Sep 2009, 5:13 PM
Law & Order CI will never be the same with out Goren and Aims they r the greatest team ever to play drama on television. I'll miss them on marathon Saturday's.
Posted 26 Sep 2009, 10:18 PM
I am terribly disappointed that Dennis D'Onofrio and Erbe will be leaving the show. I feel that they have been the cornerstone of the show and create the atmosphere of Criminal Intent. Jeff Goldblum is okay, but he is poor Copy of D'Nofrio. I feel he has merit in his own right but he is no way in comparison and Will not be able to carry the show.
I have watched Law and Order since the beginning of the original Series and record the shows when I am not able to watch them...I feel that the original Law and Order, Special Victim's Unit and Criminal Intent are the three best shows and no shows have come close to replacing them.
Please reconsider in Changing the cast memebers...I do not like the changes...I feel that the consistency of characters gives merit and substance to the show and the presentation of the characters lines.
Changing guest characters in fine and that is nice...but not main characters!
Let me say that again...Please do not change the main characters!!!
I was just getting used to switching beteen D'nofrio and Noth...I didn't like it...but I was willing to give Noth a try when Wheeler came along...
If D'nofrio goes off completely...I will not watch as much...and that is sad...Already I do not watch if Goldblum is on and something else may come up.
Pls forgive the wordy disortation...I am just vexed that there will be yet another change!
Posted 27 Sep 2009, 7:11 PM
LOCI and Goren & Eames fans: Why get angry when you can take action? NBCU senior management has made a costly mistake in its effort to save money by firing D'Onofrio and Erbe. Let them know. The Campaign to Save Goren & Eames is underway. E-mail your displeasure to bonnie.hammer@nbcuni.com and jeff.gaspin@nbcuni.com and tell them directly (short, sweet, clean) why they need to reverse their decision.
Posted 30 Sep 2009, 8:36 AM
SAVE GOREN AND EAMES...
http://savegorenandeames.blogspot.com/
Posted 30 Sep 2009, 8:37 AM
SAVE GOREN AND EAMES...
http://savegorenandeames.blogspot.com/
Posted 08 Oct 2009, 4:33 PM
New sites for Saving Goren and Eames Now!
http://savinggorenandeamesnow.blogspot.com/
http://savinggorenandeamesnow.com/
Posted 22 Oct 2009, 9:49 PM
I find the remarks regarding Jeff Goldblum various yet interesting. As a long time Vincent D'Onofrio fan I have to admit I will not be watching this show once he is gone; I will be tuning into the USA reruns instead. Please keep in mind that the show is written for Goren and that is what makes Goldblum's character look so childish. The writers should have given Jeff's character (cannot even remember the name) his own identity rather than being just another grown up boy like Goren. Big mistake. And by the way, Vincent's weight gain was not because of Jelly Donuts, Dumb Dumb, it was because of medication he had to take off screen, not on. Now there is just more of him to love! I wish I could.
Posted 31 Oct 2009, 2:58 PM
WEll, that will be it for me...vincent and kathryn are the reasons i watch Criminal Intent faithfully...the cast does matter and this is the wrong move...
the show's popularity will definitely diminish...
Posted 30 Nov 2009, 7:03 AM
I watch Criminal Intent for Vincent & Kathryn. I love the characters they portray. Will not watch the show if they're gone. I will probably not be the only one.
Posted 10 Dec 2009, 10:25 AM
HOW STUPID ARE YOU? DONOFIO WAS THE ONLY ONE I WOULD WATCH.I WATCH ALL THREE OF THE L&A SERIES BUT WHEN DONOFRIO IS ON I WOULDN'T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD. HE IS A GREAT ACTOR AND HE MAKES THE STORY SEEM SO REAL. HOW DUMB ARE YOU PEOPLE WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT THE VIEWERS WANT???????
Posted 29 Dec 2009, 7:28 AM
The Only reason i watched this show was because of Vincent D'onofrio and Kathryn Erbe. If they let them go. This show is done. I believe a lot of viewers were loyal to the show because of these two characters. They are such great characters and they are great actors. I will boycott this show and Wolf i dont think i am along ratings will drop dramatically drop.
Posted 16 Jan 2010, 11:25 PM
CI is different from the other Law & Orders. Bobby is the reason I watch. I used to hate, as much as liked Logan, when I'd tune in and it was a Logan vs. Goren episode.
Please say this isn't true.
Posted 24 Jan 2010, 3:50 PM
I have watched Law & Order C.I (along with Law & Order and SVU), from their onset. Dennis D'Onofrio is an absolutely fabulous actor that doesn't get the credit he deserves: like an Emmy for the show he went undercover in the prison among many others. He is amazing. Kathryn Erbe is also terrific and the two of them compliment each other and have on screen chemistry. I've gotton used to Eric B. since Jaime Sheridan left and think he also does a terrific job. I have always like Jeff Goldblum and think his character is good and he does a great job as always. But without Dennis, Kathryn and Eric, you have lost an extremely loyal fan. One who watches the reruns out here late on a Sunday night when she gets up early for work on Monday!! Without these three, all I will be watching are reruns.
Posted 26 Jan 2010, 1:19 PM
Criminal Intent is what it is because of D'Onofrio and Erbe- the stories, in some ways, are secondary to their relationship. Without them, it's just another procedural clogging up the airways. I'm also sad to see Eric go. He brought a hang dog word weary presecence to the show, someone who wasn't gouing to coddle the character of Goren. Goldblum is ill suited to replace Goren simply because most Criminal Intent viewers watch because of Goren and Eames. D'Onofrio has a particulalrly loya fanbase and that fan base will not stay on to watch Goldblum for no other reason than Goldblum is'nt Bobby Goren. AS for his partener, she's no Wheeler or Eames.
In regards to D'oNofrio's weight gain, that has to do with the side effects of medication he has taken since collapsiong on set several seasons ago, the result of `exhaustion.' It was because of this collapse and subsequent hospitilization that Chris Noths character was brought in so that D'onforio could have a lighter work schedule in order to help control his medical conditon.
End of the day, CI will not survive without Vincent D'Ofnofrio and Katehrine Erbe. Replacing them is such an obviously bone headed move. So, was switching Leno to 10:00 p.m.Grasping the obvious is not a strong suit in network televison.
Posted 10 Feb 2010, 5:29 PM
Vincent Donofrio was Criminal Intent. I will not watch it without him. And I will not be alone. Stupid! Now if he didn't want to be on the show any more fine. I just won't think producers are studpid but just wonder where I can find Vincent Donofrio in film.
dd
Posted 11 Feb 2010, 11:40 AM
Wolf is a first class idiot...I will not watch this show without D'Onofrio. I have tried to watch it without him, it is pointless. it is like watching any other vapid L&O. Once is enough. I have to get out of here, Dick Wolf's gargantuan ego is rapidly absorbing all my oxygen.
Posted 11 Feb 2010, 12:45 PM
Not only is Jeff Goldblum's character a loser but the story arc has taken a positively downward spiral. I was truly hoping that when the writers killed off Nicole Wallace that they would kill off all the angst that had been brought to the show. Sorry that it didn't happen.
I checked out of watching with intent (pun intended) 6 months ago. Before that I was a huge CI fan. I was truly looking forward to this spring's return with hope that things would return to the glory days. Sad to see it won't be.
I won't be watching. I checked out of the regular L&O when Dennis Farina left (and that was truly a stretch). I left L&O SVU years ago because I couldn't stand Christopher Meloni's character.
Now I guess it's time to say goodbye to CI.
I don't blame Vincent D'Onofrio or Kathryn Erbe. They can do much better. Eric Bogosian as well.
Posted 12 Feb 2010, 3:06 PM
Losing D'Onofrio and Earbe might well mark the end of CI. I like Jeff Goldbloom but the continuous stream of female partners for him and Chris Noth (loved Alicia Witt!) prior made the show seem too dis-shoveled, disoriented or something. D'Onofrio's quirky character is what caught and held me and I have been (im)patiently awaiting his return. I understand that there are probably many circumstances that we are not privy to but Goren hasn't been who /what I watched the show for for some time. I no longer watch the original L&O nor Special Victims. Guess I'll no longer be watching ANY L&O.
Posted 20 Feb 2010, 12:25 PM
I too will only be watching reruns since the loss of Bobby. And regarding D'Onofrio's edema, I was also recently put on a drug that causes weight gain from water. In one week I put on 15 lbs. People like the tweeter 'Old No7' are everywhere and assumed I stopped exercising and began a diet junk food overnight. Sad, but true...
Posted 20 Feb 2010, 10:10 PM
No D'Onofrio, no Erbe? No L&O CI!
Posted 21 Feb 2010, 3:14 AM
I am so sad that D'Onofrio and Erbe are leaving. I think that Dick Wolf has made a very big mistake removing these people. I shall not be watching CI after March as I personally believe that no one can be as impressive as Goren and Eames.
Posted 06 Mar 2010, 6:55 PM
I too have watched Criminal Intent since the first show and I must say that without Goren and Eames, that show is an entirely different show. I, like many that have written in, feel cheated.Without Vincent and Kathryn, there is no Criminal Intent. With all the crap being pawned off on the public as television, to mess with these characters is just another insult. Shame on you.
Someone wrote that the story lines were what the viewers were more interested in but as a 25 year employee of a local police department, I will tell you that that sentiment is just not true. Again, shame on you. Give us, the viewer what we want. Give us Goren and Eames.
Posted 08 Mar 2010, 1:18 PM
I like that people are actually taking the Jelly Doughnuts comment seriously.
Since nobody remembers Vincent played Private Leonard Lawerence in the Move Full Metal Jacket. The Drill Instructor gave him the nickname Pvt. Pyle. The character was a "disgusting fatbody" that got the entire platoon in trouble repeatedly one such case was when he 'snuck in jelly doughnuts'.