'Criminal Intent' gets new showrunners

New York -- The USA Network said Monday it has new showrunners for the upcoming season of its TV drama, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," which is to premiere in November.

"CI" veteran Chris Noth will not be returning to the series. However, Jeff Goldblum will be joining the cast.

Walon Green, Robert Nathan, John Coles, Michael S. Chernuchin, Andrew Lipsitz and Timothy J. Lea are to make up the show's new production team when "CI" returns for its eighth season in November.

The announcement was made Monday by Jeff Wachtel, USA's executive vice president of original programming and co-head of original content for Universal Cable Productions, and Dick Wolf, executive producer and creator of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."

"Walon, Robert, Nooch (Michael Chernuchin) and I have been working together for most of the last two decades," Wolf said in a statement. "Between them, they have written hundreds of episodes of the brand's various iterations. By joining 'CI,' they are providing the best of both worlds -- a new perspective and a wealth of experience with the brand. John (Coles) is one of the most respected producer/directors on the East Coast. I could not ask for a better team as we embark on our eighth season."

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.