'L&O: CI' renewed for final season

The USA Network has announced that it has renewed Law & Order: Criminal Intent for a tenth and final season.

Entertainment Weekly reports that original star Vincent D'Onofrio will return to the crime drama for the last episodes.

D'Onofrio's character Detective Robert Goren departed the show in the ninth season and was replaced full-time by Jeff Goldblum's Zach Nichols. However, it was reported in August that Goldblum had decided to quit his role.

Executive producer Dick Wolf said: "Only time will tell if this is a fond farewell or a renaissance for Detective Robert Goren, but everyone is ecstatic about going back to work on a show that's a passion for all of us."

The eight-episode final season of Law & Order: Criminal Intent is expected to air in 2011.