In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« Ausiello Report
Exclusive: Diane Neal Bails on Law & Order: SVU
Diane Neal by Virginia Sherwood/NBC
Man, they're dropping like flies this week on the procedurals. Less than 24 hours after I reported that Gary Dourdan and CSI would be parting ways by season's end, word comes that Diane Neal has given notice at Law & Order: SVU!
A show spokesperson confirmed the actress' departure, saying, "Diane spent five years on SVU and was a tremendous addition to the SVU team. She is looking forward to new opportunities and she will be missed."
Neal, who will make her final appearance in next month's season finale, joined SVU in 2003 as ADA Casey Novak, replacing Stephanie March. She had previously appeared in a Season 3 episode as a different character, a female rapist by the name of Amelia Chase.
The search for a new ADA is already under way, and, sadly, bringing March back doesn't appear to be an option. Word is that Dick Wolf is looking to fill the void with an up-and-comer. No disrespect to Neal, but, for my money, SVU is unlikely to ever find an ADA as arresting as Alex Cabot.
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Apr 15, 2008 2:26 PM
|
|
I've yet to see her in anything else so if she's smart, she may want to reconsider this departure. Unless she's got some heavy duty job waiting for her, she's not making the smart move
|
|
Apr 15, 2008 3:18 PM
|
I liked her better then Cabot, she showed more emotion but still seemed smart.
Sad she's leaving.
|
|
Apr 15, 2008 3:31 PM
|
|
Aww im sad that she's leaving, I really liked casey. But i would love to see Stephanie March return as Alex! That would make SVU even better than it already is.
|
|
Apr 15, 2008 3:35 PM
|
OK, what the heck is going on this season?! This makes five people exiting their shows now. First Jorja Fox, then Jesse L. Martin, and just in the last week, someone from NCIS, Gary Dourdan, and now Diane? What gives? They're killing me!
|
|
Apr 15, 2008 3:39 PM
|
|
She was okay, but I loved Stephanie March as Alex Cabot. I haven't watched the show that much since she left.
|
|
Apr 15, 2008 3:40 PM
|
I hate to see Diane Neal leave SVU. Both she and Stephanie March were good in different ways. I can't blame her for wanting to pursue different opportunities, but I hope she's not making a mistake by leaving. I wish her
the best and hope to see her in future
projects. I'll miss her.
|
|
Apr 15, 2008 3:40 PM
|
You're not kidding! Is it something in the water? One would think, now that the writers' strike is over, they'd be looking forward to going back to work.
I never really warmed up to Neal's Casey. I really loved March's Alex Cabot. I wish Wolf would reconsider and bring her back. I would've preferred it if Adam Beach would leave. He does nothing for the show, except take away airtime from Belzer's Munch.
|
|
Apr 15, 2008 3:41 PM
|
|
Call me a dreamer, but I'd love it if, considering current diminishing creative returns, they consolidated all three L&O's into one weekly anthology series. They could bring back former castmembers for recurring stints and enable crossovers without it being cheesy. And it would probably help focus the writers on quality not quantity.
|
|
Apr 15, 2008 3:46 PM
|
I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but here it goes ::deep breath::
I'm glad that she's leaving. It's true that they could have someone worse than Neal (::cough:: ::Elizabeth Rohm:: ::cough:: ::cough:: ), but I never found her all together engaging.
Also, was it me, or did they try to MAKE her into Alexandra Cabot? Between the voice, the mannerisms, then the hair and make-up! I seriously think they were trying to do Alexandra Cabot 2.0 with Neal as the series progressed!!!!
|
|
Apr 15, 2008 3:49 PM
|
|
Is this because she's a lesbian?
|
|
Apr 15, 2008 3:55 PM
|
pixiedarling:"I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but here it goes ::deep breath::
I'm glad that she's leaving."
I totally agree with you, pixiedarling. From her intruding on the detectives' cases, wanting to know each detail, to her annoying big lips and just...everything. I had to LOL when I saw the reference to that blonde bimbo that they finally got rid of on the mothership show.
So, you're not alone. You had the guts to say it foirst.
|
|
Apr 15, 2008 4:06 PM
|
|
Too bad Stephanie March wont return. Evidently her hubby Bobby Flay likes her "cooking"!
|
|
Apr 15, 2008 4:14 PM
|
|
I still miss Alex Cabot, but I liked Casey in her own way. Diane, you'll be missed!
|
|
Apr 15, 2008 4:16 PM
|
Wow, this came as a shock.
I agree, Stephanie March as Alex Cabot was probably the best they'll ever do. She was amazing.
I am curious as to what "up-and-comer" they decide to replace her with though. Should be an interesting choice, or at least I hope so.
|
|
Apr 15, 2008 4:18 PM
|
|
|
