QUICK TAKES - June 30, 2009

Big cast news at two network TV series.

On NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,� the stars are staying put. After months of negotiations, Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay have reached deals keeping them on the cop drama for at least one more year.

Meanwhile over at ABC, “Desperate Housewives� has recruited its sixth housewife. With Nicolette Sheridan’s Edie Britt dead for good, the network has confirmed that Emmy-winning “Sopranos� actress Drea De Matteo will join the cast as Wisteria Lane’s newest housewife.

-- Denise Martin