Danny Pino, Kelli Giddish join "Law & Order: SVU"

(CBS/AP) NEW YORK - Actors Danny Pino and Kelli Giddish are joining the cast of NBC's drama "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.''

The 37-year-old Pino starred for seven seasons on CBS' "Cold Case" as Detective Scotty Valens and appeared in two episodes of "Burn Notice."

NBC said Monday he'll step into the vacancy left by the recently departed Christopher Meloni, who played Detective Elliot Stabler.

Fellow newcomer Giddish starred last season in NBC's "Chase" as U.S. Marshal Annie Frost. The 31-year-old former soap star ("All My Children") appeared once in a small role in the show in 2007. She also has appeared on "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Without a Trace" and "The Good Wife."

Both will play detectives in the Special Victims Unit of the New York Police Department. They'll join a cast headed by the series' veteran star, Mariska Hargitay. The series will be entering its 13th season this fall.