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It's not about the actors, it's really about the stories. At least that's what creator Dick Wolf has always said about his Law & Order franchise. So then no one should be too worried that four actors are being pulled from the cast of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," including longtime star Vincent D'Onofrio.

D'Onofrio will be joined by fellow veteran castmember Kathryn Erbe as well as Eric Bogosian and, as previously announced, Julianne Nicholson, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It's not clear who will replace these actors just yet, but Jeff Goldblum's character is expected to move up into a leadership role later this season.

"Criminal Intent" started on NBC, but has been a part of the USA Network's lineup beginning in early 2008, although episodes are still rerun on NBC.

The Law & Order franchise has been a staple of NBC Universal's programming lineup since 1990. There are currently three Law & Order series airing in the United States including "Criminal Intent," which debuted in 2001, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" that premiered in 1999, and the original series. Past outings have included "Law & Order: Trial By Jury" that was canceled after one season, and "Conviction" that also lasted a single season.

NBC also had a reality version of Law & Order" called "Crime & Punishment" that lasted just two seasons.

"Criminal Intent" explores more high-profile cases than what is seen in the original series that includes celebrities, local government officials, and other bigger names in New York City. Beginning in Season 5, "Criminal Intent" broke away even more from the overall Law & Order franchise by alternating between two teams of detectives, instead of having just one. At the same time, "Criminal Intent" focuses more on why the crimes were committed, and less on the procedural aspects of investigating and prosecuting a crime.

Many of the crimes on "Criminal Intent" also do not end with court cases, rather they focus more on confession, a more viable staple for cable.