The actor Jeff Goldblum is reportedly quitting Law & Order: Criminal Intent after two seasons on the crime drama.

While no official announcement has been made, Goldblum's representatives have indicated that the 57-year-old has decided not to renew his contract "due to the uncertainty" continuing with respect to the programme's future, Variety reports. He will reportedly exit regardless of the USA Network's final decision about whether to give the show another season, although the separation is understood to be amicable.

Goldblum, who plays Detective Zach Nichols in the Law & Order spin-off, was signed by the USA Network for two seasons in an effort to revitalise the series. But the series has continued to see its audience slip away, and the most recent season finale in July was watched by fewer than three million viewers.

Goldblum's reported departure would represent yet another major cast change for Criminal Intent; long-running cast members Kathryn Erbe, Vincent D'Onofrio and Eric Bogosian all left the programme in the ninth season.

Traditionally the least popular of the three Law & Order series broadcast to date, Criminal Intent was moved from NBC to the USA cable network from the seventh season onward. NBC has confirmed that its fellow spin-off, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, will be returning, but it also suffered a decline in its most recent season.

Goldblum has a long career in film, television and theatre. Films in which he has appeared include Jurassic Park and Independence Day, while he has had parts in a wide range of television series.

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