Chris Noth leaving 'Law & Order' series

Long-time "Law & Order" cop Chris Noth is leaving the force, stepping out of USA's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."

Jeff Goldblum is set to take his place on the show, joining Vincent D'Onofrio as a co-lead, the showbiz trade papers report. "Criminal Intent's" eighth season is scheduled to premiere later this year.

"Jeff's presence will add a new dimension to an already successful show," "Law & Order" boss Dick Wolf says. He also has praise for the departing Noth, noting that "Chris has been a member of the 'Law & Order' family since the beginning, and [his character] Mike Logan is one of the most popular detectives in the history of television.

"We wish him all the best," Wolf adds.

Noth played Logan for the first five seasons of the original "Law & Order." He reprised the role in the 1998 NBC movie "Exiled," then joined "Criminal Intent" in 2005, alternating episodes with D'Onofrio.

Goldblum starred as an L.A. detective in NBC's short-lived "Raines" in 2007. He's also starred in "The Fly," "Jurassic Park" and "The Big Chill," and he earned an Emmy nomination in 2005 for a guest role on "Will & Grace."