Law & Order: SVU

It's barely been a week since we reported that Diane Neal is leaving Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.  The dust hasn't even begun to settle from that announcement and already we have another cast member confirmed to ext the series at the end of this current season.

Adam Beach, who plays detective Chester Lake, on Law & Order: SVU, has announced his departure from the show at the close of this ongoing season.  Similarly, Neal, who essays the role of Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Casey Novak will make her final bow when Law & Order: SVU finishes its 9th season next month.

Beach joined the SVU team for this latest season after working with creator Dick Wolf on the HBO telepic, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.  He originally signed on for a one-year deal, with an option for a second, which, clearly, both parties have now decided against.

“Adam is a superb actor.  From the first day I met him on the set of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, I was knocked out by his commitment, dedication and total immersion in the film's most crucial role,” Wolf, who served as executive producer on the made for TV movie, said.  “He did a terrific job this season on SVU, and I look forward to working with him again in the near future.”

For his part, Beach had this to say about his year-long stint on the crime procedural:  "I very much enjoyed my year on Law & Order: SVU.  Now I'm looking forward to new adventures."

At this point, it doesn't appear that Beach's role on the series will be recast, even as Dick Wolf has reportedly begun the search for a new ADA to take over the void Diane Neal's exit will leave behind after the season closes next month.


-Rosario Santiago, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Reuters, The Celebrity Cafe
(Image Courtesy of NBC)