Danny Pino & Kelli Giddish Join “Law & Order: SVU”

"Law & Order: SVU" has expanded its detectives division.

NBC confirmed to Deadline on Tuesday that former "Cold Case" star Danny Pino and Kelli Giddish, most recently of "Chase" and "The Good Wife," will join Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Richard Belzer and Dann Florek on the popular crime-solving show.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Stars Of Fall's Newest TV Shows

"I'm very pleased that we have two amazing actors joining the cast. I know this combination will give us the opportunity to explore the world of 'SVU' with new eyes," Dick Wolf, Executive Producer/Creator said in a statement posted on the website.

"Kelli and Danny are two great actors who will join a proven cast headed by Mariska Hargitay as this exceptional series heads into a very promising 13th season," Bob Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment said in a statement.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: 'Law & Order: SVU's' Leading Lady Mariska Hargitay

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, longtime cast member Christopher Meloni left the show following unsuccessful deal negotiations in May. He is now heading to the big screen, joining Zack Snyder's "Superman" movie reboot, New York Magazine's Vulture blog reported.

Since the cancellation of "Cold Case," Pino had a small role as Adam Scott in USA's "Burn Notice," and he made several film appearances.

After her show "Chase" was canceled, Giddish turned up in the last few episodes of CBS' "The Good Wife," playing Sophia Russo, a love and business interest of Kalinda's, played by Archie Panjabi.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: The Lovely Ladies Of Primetime Television

Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Primetime Hunks

PLAY IT NOW: NAACP Image Awards Backstage: Terrence Howard Gets Emotional Over His Mother's Passing
PLAY IT NOW: Access Archives: On The Set Of 'Law & Order: SVU' With Mariska Hargitay (2007)

More from Access: [ Law & Order: SVU Mariska Hargitay Christopher Meloni ]

Copyright NBCAH - Access Hollywood
Contact Us