D'Onofrio heading back to 'L&O'

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Former "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" star Vincent D'Onofrio is to return for the 10th and final season of the police procedural, USA Network said Tuesday.

D'Onofrio portrayed Detective Robert Goren on Dick Wolf's hit series for eight seasons. Jeff Goldblum starred in Season 9 of the show.

D'Onofrio's planned return for the 10th season was announced Tuesday by Jeff Wachtel, president of original programming at USA and co-head of original content at Universal Cable Productions.

USA Network said it will air eight new episodes beginning in 2011.

In addition, Universal Cable Productions has made a pilot commitment for a new project with Wolf Films.

"We have been the fortunate caretakers of this legendary series, and we plan to give it the world-class farewell it so richly deserves. Dick and his team promise to create a major event for television with incredible surprises," Wachtel said in a statement. "The plan is for this to be the series finale, but with a Dick Wolf franchise, one really never knows until it's over."