LOS ANGELES (AP) - Stephanie March is going back to work as New York prosecutor Alexandra Cabot on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

March will return to the NBC drama for six episodes, beginning Feb. 17. The show airs at 10 p.m. EST. The actress said Thursday she looks forward to spending time with a production that has been rewarding for her, and compared it to "an old flame."

March starred on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" for four seasons, leaving the show in 2003 and returning for one episode in 2005. She briefly reprised the role of Cabot on NBC's "Conviction," which aired in 2006.

Yay, I can't wait for this! Alex has always been my fave ADA (Although I like Casey, a lot, too!). Should be interesting.

- Kristen

Should be interesting!!

I knew I would miss Alex Cabot terribly (and I will be glad to see her again), but I was not prepared for how much more I miss Casey Novak! Wonder if they will ever bring her back?

I remember when Diane Neal first came on SVU and was positive I'd hate her character. She won me over the very first episode. But if any past ADA has to return, I'm glad it's Stephanie March. :cool:

I don't watch SVU any more, so I must ask, why did Diane Neal leave? Was it her choice or was she fired?

If she left voluntarily, I don't get it: It's not like she's really well known outside of the show and has done any movies or whatnot. I always found her character annoying. She always seemed annoyed or pissed off.

I don't watch SVU any more, so I must ask, why did Diane Neal leave? Was it her choice or was she fired?

If she left voluntarily, I don't get it: It's not like she's really well known outside of the show and has done any movies or whatnot. I always found her character annoying. She always seemed annoyed or pissed off.
Yeah, she left voluntarily - and no, I haven't seen her in anything other than L&O. Then again, that might say more about me than her. :lol:

Monika, I had no idea you were an SVU fan! I'm pretty much addicted, LOL. I'm currently trying to work up the nerve to write Mariska Hargitay a fan letter.

- Kristen

Monika, I had no idea you were an SVU fan! I'm pretty much addicted, LOL. I'm currently trying to work up the nerve to write Mariska Hargitay a fan letter.

- Kristen
Well, I don't really watch it anymore - I started losing interest a few years ago when it became the Elliot/Olivia soap opera, but I digress. I am still a fan of the first few seasons.

I do have an autographed pic of Mariska - I wrote her in either 2002 or 2003. Other L&O autographs I have - Jesse L. Martin, S. Epatha Merkerson, Sam Waterston, Steven Hill, Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, Jamey Sheridan, and the late, great Jerry Orbach. :D

Ooh, man, that's awesome. Some day you have GOT to get a scanner so I can see all your autographs!

Yeah, she left voluntarily
I remember reading in TV Guide last spring that Diane was fired from SVU. She said she came to work one day and they pulled her aside and told her she wouldn't be returning for season 10 in the fall.

http://www.tvguide.com/news/Exclusive-Dourdan-Neal-8149.aspx

*Ausiello Report*
Exclusive: Were Dourdan and Neal (Gulp) Fired?

I believe it was Mark Twain who once said: "Cast shake-ups are like Transformers ? there is usually more to them than meets the eye."

And I was reminded of how true those words were this week following my back-to-back exclusives that CSI and Law & Order: SVU would be losing Gary Dourdan and Diane Neal, respectively.

Initially, I reported that the actors were leaving for the most
mundane of reasons: Both of their contracts were up, and they had
decided to move on. But in the hours that followed the posting of
those stories, new information came to light that now calls into
question my original sources the exact circumstances surrounding the
exits ? specifically, whether the stars were leaving of their own
accord or if they had been shown the door.

In the case of Dourdan, an insider at the show insists that he and CSI
execs "mutually agreed" to part ways for "creative reasons." However,
a CBS mole claims the 41-year-old actor was essentially fired, adding
that producers are trying to be "as supportive and protective" of him
as possible by portraying the departure as mutual. That same mole
wasn't willing to share the specific reason for Dourdan's ouster,
except to say that it involves an "ongoing problem personal to
Dourdan."

That doesn't exactly narrow it down. In 2005, Dourdan pleaded no
contest to misdemeanor battery and was ordered to stay away from
then-girlfriend Anne Greene and attend domestic-violence counseling.
And last July, a video of him allegedly attacking a TMZ photographer
made the rounds on the Web.

Meanwhile, CBS still won't officially "confirm or deny" that Dourdan
is on his way out, even as a search for his replacement is underway.
Repeated calls to the goodbye guy's camp went unreturned.

Over at SVU, the situation surrounding Neal has become equally
suspicious. On Tuesday, a show spokesperson confirmed to me
exclusively that the actress would be vacating her role as ADA Casey
Novak in what appeared to be a mutual decision. However, shortly after
I posted that story, a show insider says an emotional Neal gathered
the crew together on the set and informed them that she had just been
fired.

While Neal confirms that she "did talk to the crew" about her
departure, she declined to say whether she used the F-word. "Rumors
are rumors," she shrugs. "I love the crew. The crew loves me. We've
really gotten along and bonded over these past five years. And they're
always looking out for me and watching my back."

Asked if she was blindsided by the news, Neal, choosing her words
carefully, responds, "I don't know if blindsided is the right word....
I've lasted longer ? by several years ? than almost any other ADA [in
the Law & Order universe]. So every year I've been like, 'Is this
going to be the one when I leave?' *** Wolf is known for replacing
his cast regularly. And the truth is, I'm really looking forward to
the future."

There's the evidence. Who/what to believe?

^ REALLY?? I'd read that she'd chosen to leave, but I guess they didn't have their facts straight. Wow.

Yes, Kristen, one day I'll have to get a scanner. I sent Steven Hill a letter on a Monday in 2003, and I got an autographed picture from him only FIVE days later!! :D What a terrific guy!!

I haven't seen Diane Neal in anything else since, either. And the only thing I know of her doing before L&O was a Dracula movie.