News Roundup: Maria Bello Joins 'Law & Order: SVU,' Syfy Preps 'Red Faction'

Maria Bello is returning to NBC with a role on 'Law & Order: SVU.' The Golden Globe-nominated actress, who played Dr. Del Amico on 'ER' and won raves for her performances in films like 'The Cooler' and 'A History of Violence,' will appear in two episodes of the long-running crime procedural. According to TV Guide, Bello will play a woman with a hidden past being investigated by Detective Benson (Mariska Hargitay). The gig reunites Bello with former 'ER' producer Neal Baer. The network has yet to schedule her episodes.

Plus, in other TV news today:

• Syfy is bringing first-person shooter video game series 'Red Faction' to the small screen with a two-hour original movie/backdoor pilot called 'Red Faction: Origins,' reports Deadline. The cable net is teaming up with video game maker THQ for the action-adventure project, which is set to premiere next March. No casting announcements have been made for the flick, which was penned by 'Warehouse 13' scribe Andrew Kreisberg.

Head after the jump for the latest 'Criminal Minds' spinoff casting news, to learn which TV vet is joining Betty White in 'Hot in Cleveland,' and more.

• CBS has confirmed that 'Criminal Minds' co-star Kirsten Vangsness has landed a series regular role on the show's upcoming spinoff 'Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior.' Vangsness, who plays computer analyst Penelope Garcia, will appear on both shows next season, reports TV Guide. According to 'Suspect Behavior' producer Chris Munday, the move makes perfect sense because "in reality, the real BAU teams share analysts." Vangsness joins Forest Whitaker and Janeane Garofalo on the new procedural.

• Former 'Forgotten' investigator Rochelle Aytes is moving up the legal ladder to play a lawyer in ABC's new cop drama 'Detroit 1-8-7.' Aytes has singed to play recurring character Alice Williams, described by The Ausiello Files as a smart, sexy, and ambitious county prosecutor. She joins 'Sopranos' star Michael Imperioli in the series, which kicks off Tuesday, Sept. 21.

• TV vet Tim Conway ('The Carol Burnett Show') will join the red hot Betty White for a guest spot on TV Land's 'Hot in Cleveland.' Conway will play Carl Reiner's rival for White's heart in the July 28 episode titled 'It's not That Complicated,' says TV Land. Other guest stars headed to the freshman comedy include 'Kids in the Hall' vet Dave Foley, 'Ugly Betty's Mark Indelicato and Gary Williams of 'Boston Legal.'