Diane Neal

Diane Neal
Neal at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in June 2012.
Born	(1976-11-17) November 17, 1976 (age 40) Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2001–present
Notable credit(s)	Casey Novak on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Spouse(s)	Marcus Fitzgerald (m. 2005–14)
Website	www.dianeneal.org

Diane Neal (born November 17, 1976) is an American actress best known for her role as Casey Novak on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which she played from 2003 to 2008, then reprised her role from 2011 to 2012. She has portrayed Coast Guard Investigative Service Special Agent Abigail Borin in the NCIS franchise since 2009, appearing as an annual special guest star in NCIS since its seventh season, and as a recurring guest star in NCIS: New Orleans.

Neal was born in Alexandria, Virginia, the daughter of Colleen, a math teacher, and Christopher Neal, a federal attorney. She was raised in Ohio.

Neal first appeared in SVU as a guest star, playing a female rapist in the season 3 episode "Ridicule". Neal first appeared as Assistant District Attorney Casey Novak in the show's fifth season, replacing Stephanie March, who played Alexandra Cabot.

Neal portrayed Novak through the end of season 9, when the character exited the series after being censured by the New York State Bar. In 2011, Neal reprised her role as Novak in the season 12 episode, "Reparations", when Novak returned to SVU as their temporary ADA. After that appearance, she became a recurring character in season 13. She was last seen in the episode "Valentine's Day". Neal said of her return to the series in season 13 to TV Guide, "It's back on track to what the original SVU was intended to be, which is about sex crimes and crimes against children, it's got more of a nitty-gritty feel." She says that March's and her return to the fictional universe of the series provided a familiarity for viewers following original cast member Chris Meloni's departure. "I think they should put us in the court room together!" she says about March.