Kathryn Erbe fans have a reason to stick around for the final season of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," USA Network has announced.

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Erbe, who played Detective Alexandra Eames for eight seasons on the program, will rejoin the cast just weeks after Vincent D'Onofrio announced his own return as Detective Bobby Goren, the network told TV Guide Friday.

Eight new episodes will air starting in 2011, Broadcasting & Cable reported.

"Were thrilled to have Kathryn Erbe return as Detective Eames, the perfect complement to D'Onofrio's Detective Goren," USA Programming President Jeff Wachtel said. "We now have the definitive team for the ultimate season of this phenomenal show."

D'Onofrio and Erbe left at the beginning of last season, the show's ninth, leaving Jeff Goldblum and Saffron Burrows as the primary stars. Golblum announced his departure in August. It is not clear how Burrows' character will be affected.

"Criminal Intent" was the second spinoff from the "Law & Order" franchise when it began in 2001. After ratings dropped, it moved from NBC to sister cable station USA in 2007.