Chris Noth Leaving Criminal Intent

Chris Noth is ready to hand in his badge again.

The actor will be departing Law & Order: Criminal Intent after three seasons, a show rep has confirmed. His "Big" shoes will be filled by Jeff Goldblum.

''The last few years have been fantastic, and both sides are happy with the result," Chris said. "All's well that ends well."

L&O empire creator Dick Wolf called the 53-year-old's character Det. Mike Logan "one of the most popular detectives in the history of television. We all wish him the best."

Years before he became Mr. Big, Chris was better known as Mike Logan on the original Law & Order from the series' start in 1990 until 1995. In 1998, when Sex and the City hit the airwaves, the actor starred in a Mike Logan-focused TV movie, Exiled: A Law & Order Movie. He joined Criminal Intent in 2005, alternating episodes with Vincent D'Onofrio as head detective of the Major Case Squad.

Chris is currently filming season 7 of Criminal Intent, now airing on USA. It is yet unclear as to how Det. Logan will be written out again and how Jeff's new character will be introduced.

''Jeff's presence will add a new dimension to an already successful show,'' Dick said.

This will be Jeff's second stab at a TV crime series. His short-lived show Raines aired for one month on NBC last year.