'Shark' actress will play a lawyer in three episodes

Jeri Ryan is going back before the bar for a guest role on "Law & Order: SVU."

Ryan, whose last TV role was as the L.A. district attorney on CBS' "Shark," will play a lawyer on "SVU" for three episodes, starting Tuesday, April 7. That episode will also feature guest stars Delroy Lindo ("Kidnapped") and John Ashton ("Gone Baby Gone," "Beverly Hills Cop").

"Jeri Ryan's the real deal. She brings a compelling intensity to her roles, and we're lucky to have her as a kick-butt attorney on 'SVU,'" executive producer Neal Baer says.

In the April 7 episode, the SVU detectives will take on the case of a serial killer who has left a long trail of victims. Lindo will play a detective who's been working the case, while Ashton will play the NYPD's chief of detectives.

In addition to "Shark," Ryan was a regular on FOX's "Boston Public" from 2001-04 and on "Star Trek: Voyager." She's also had recurring parts on "The O.C." and "Boston Legal."