It seems as though the Law & Order franchise is having a hard time keeping its actors these days. The Criminal Intent series has had three different female detective counterparts for Chris Noth's character since 2005, and last spring the original series lost Fred Thompson to his failed (phew!) presidential campaign. Then, in late February, RENT alum Jesse L. Martin announced that he was also leaving the series after eight seasons. Now, TVGuide.com is reporting that Diane Neal, who plays Assistant District Attorney Casey Novak on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, will be stepping down at season's end.

Photo credit: Virginia Sherwood/NBC

Citing "new opportunities," Neal will be leaving her post as the second ADA on SVU after five seasons. She came onto the show in 2003 following the staged death of Stephanie March's character, Alexandra Cabot. It has not yet been revealed how Novak will be written off the show, but I sincerely hope she isn't killed off. If I am denied the possibility of her coming back — even for one episode — I will be one very unhappy lesbian.

When thinking of Neal's character, one particular episode from season 7, "Blinded" comes to mind. While prosecuting a schizophrenic rapist, Novak's hard exterior softens because of the history with her former fiancé's schizophrenia. Near the end of the episode, Det. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) realizes what she has done and confronts her; Novak shows no remorse. … continue reading

In our final pilot review before the fall season begins in a few weeks, Lori and I discuss what works (and doesn't work) about three more new fall pilots: Aliens in America (The CW), Reaper (The CW), and Cane (CBS).

The short version? Cane is the Jimmy Smits-led Latino family drama, Reaper is the Buffy-esque dramedy of a young man who discovers on his 21st birthday that his parents sold his soul to the devil, and Aliens explores how a Wisconsin family reacts when a Pakistani Muslim exchange student comes to live with them (hint: not well).

Since most of the lead characters in these shows are men, why do you care? Reaper and Cane were created/written by women, and the prejudice Raja faces in Aliens will probably seem more than a little familiar to lesbian and bi women in the U.S.

Also, Reaper is one of the funniest dramedies we've seen on TV in a long time.

Why else do you care? Missy Peregrym. Paola Turbay. Original Cindy Valerie Rae Miller.

Plus Rita Moreno, Amy Pietz and a teenage girl who's "sweetly unaware of how good looking she is." (Seriously, you can't make this stuff up.)

Watch the vlog below (no major spoilers) — and next weekend, look for our vlog about Jodie Foster's new movie The Brave One! … continue reading

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Missy Peregrym (Stick It) has been cast as the female lead in The Reaper, a new fall drama from The CW about a 21-year-old slacker who becomes the devil's bounty hunter. She is replacing Nikki Reed (Thirteen), who played the role in the pilot.

The character in question, Andi, is the co-worker of reluctant bounty hunter Sam (Bret Harrison); Sam, of course, has a crush on her but doesn't have the guts to ask her out. The gig doesn't really seem like a step up from Missy's current job, playing the shape-shifting Candice on NBC's Heroes, and in fact it makes me wonder: What's going to happen to Candice? … continue reading

Last week, Missy Peregrym of Stick It fame joined the cast of Heroes in the last new episode until April 23. Her character is a shape-shifter whose motives seem to be morally sketchy. At least she's not psychotic like Nikki, but that's not saying anything.

It's interesting that all the women with powers (so far, and who haven't been killed off by Sylar) are hot young babes. Meanwhile, Lindeman, the crazed puppetmaster manipulating world destiny, is played by an ancient Malcolm McDowell.

Why the bias? Aren't there any fossilized actresses out there willing to chew up scenery and bend time to their bidding? Cloris Leachman would be perfect.

Wait, no! Joan Collins! Or, better yet, cast them both. You can watch all 18 episodes of Heroes and read the graphic novel at nbc.com.