{ "id": "epvs7wm66g", "slug": "diane-neal", "title": "Diane Neal", "updated": "2026-10-25", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.people", "label": "Screen people and creators", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.people" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.people.screen.people.actors.west", "label": "Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.people.screen.people.actors.west" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.people.screen.people.actors.west.american-actors-2000s-onward", "label": "American actors: 2000s onward", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.people.screen.people.actors.west.american-actors-2000s-onward" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.people.screen.people.actors.west.american-actors-2000s-onward.alpha-mo-to-ne", "label": "Surnames Mo to Ne", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.people.screen.people.actors.west.american-actors-2000s-onward.alpha-mo-to-ne" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.us.t2001.culture.performance.screen.people.screen.people.actors.west.american-actors-2000s-onward.alpha-mo-to-ne", "label": "United States · 2001 to 2020: Surnames Mo to Ne", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2001.culture.performance.screen.people.screen.people.actors.west.american-actors-2000s-onward.alpha-mo-to-ne", "path": [ { "id": "geo.us", "label": "United States", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2001", "label": "United States · 2001 to 2020", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2001" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2001.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2001.culture" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2001.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2001.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2001.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2001.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2001.culture.performance.screen.people", "label": "Screen people and creators", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2001.culture.performance.screen.people" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2001.culture.performance.screen.people.screen.people.actors.west", "label": "Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2001.culture.performance.screen.people.screen.people.actors.west" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2001.culture.performance.screen.people.screen.people.actors.west.american-actors-2000s-onward", "label": "American actors: 2000s onward", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2001.culture.performance.screen.people.screen.people.actors.west.american-actors-2000s-onward" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2001.culture.performance.screen.people.screen.people.actors.west.american-actors-2000s-onward.alpha-mo-to-ne", "label": "Surnames Mo to Ne", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2001.culture.performance.screen.people.screen.people.actors.west.american-actors-2000s-onward.alpha-mo-to-ne" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Diane Neal (born 1975, Alexandria, Virginia) is an American actress who played ADA Casey Novak on Law & Order: SVU and agent Abigail Borin on NCIS, later earned a Harvard Extension School degree and ran for Congress in NY-19 as an Independent.", "snippet": "Diane Neal (born 1975, Alexandria, Virginia) is an American actress who played ADA Casey Novak on Law & Order: SVU and agent Abigail Borin on NCIS, later earned a Harvard Extension School degree and ran for Congress in NY-19 as an Independent.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.people.screen.people.actors.west.american-actors-2000s-onward.alpha-mo-to-ne", "markdown": "# Diane Neal\n\n**Diane Neal** (born 1975) is an American actress best known for playing Assistant District Attorney Casey Novak on the NBC police procedural *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*, a role she played for more than 100 episodes across two stints, and Coast Guard Investigative Service Agent Abigail Borin on the *NCIS* franchise[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/diane_neal) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/). In 2018 she graduated from the [Harvard Extension School](https://www.edgepedia.org/harvard-extension-school) and announced a campaign for Congress in New York's 19th Congressional District as an Independent[3](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/05/former-law-order-actress-arresting-new-goal-after-extension-school/).\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Born | 1975, Alexandria, Virginia, USA[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/diane_neal) |\n| Signature role | ADA Casey Novak on *Law & Order: SVU*, joined 2003, left 2008, returned 2011; more than 100 episodes[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/diane_neal) |\n| Other television | CGIS Agent Abigail Borin on *NCIS* (2010–2014, 6 episodes) and *NCIS: New Orleans* (2015, 3 episodes); Allison Holt on *Suits* (3 episodes)[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/) |\n| Film | Elizabeth Blaine in *Dracula II: Ascension* (2003) and *Dracula III: Legacy* (2005)[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/diane_neal) |\n| Before acting | Competitive figure skater; modeling contract in 1993 after her sister entered her in a college contest[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/bio/) • [3](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/05/former-law-order-actress-arresting-new-goal-after-extension-school/) |\n| Education | Associate degree, Harvard Extension School, May 2018; enrolled since 2009[3](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/05/former-law-order-actress-arresting-new-goal-after-extension-school/) |\n| Politics | Announced candidacy for New York's 19th Congressional District seat in February 2018, running as an Independent[3](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/05/former-law-order-actress-arresting-new-goal-after-extension-school/) |\n\n## Early life and modeling\n\nNeal was born in [Alexandria, Virginia](https://www.edgepedia.org/alexandria-virginia), and moved to [Littleton, Colorado](https://www.edgepedia.org/littleton-colorado), when her father was promoted to the position of federal attorney in Denver[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/). She is the youngest of three daughters[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/). She was a competitive figure skater in high school, and began college at 16 after graduating high school early[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/bio/) • [3](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/05/former-law-order-actress-arresting-new-goal-after-extension-school/).\n\nShe was a pre-med major in university before leaving to pursue modeling[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/). In 1993, during her first semester of college, her sister signed her up for a modeling contest and she landed a contract, then spent the next few years traveling the world for photo shoots[3](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/05/former-law-order-actress-arresting-new-goal-after-extension-school/). She has described herself as having been a science kid who expected to go into medicine or astrophysics, and has said the travel during her modeling years fueled her interest in other people and circumstances[3](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/05/former-law-order-actress-arresting-new-goal-after-extension-school/).\n\n## Law & Order: SVU\n\nNeal's first screen role on the show came as a guest: in a 2001 episode of *Law & Order: SVU* she played a suspect, a woman involved in the gang rape of a man[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/diane_neal) • [5](https://tv.apple.com/us/person/diane-neal/umc.cpc.fve7ie8aigw8ej01wmm51kgp). Having apparently impressed the producers with the guest spot, she joined the cast in 2003 as regular character [Casey Novak](https://www.edgepedia.org/casey-novak), a by-the-book assistant district attorney[5](https://tv.apple.com/us/person/diane-neal/umc.cpc.fve7ie8aigw8ej01wmm51kgp).\n\nShe featured regularly on the show until departing in 2008, then returned as Novak in 2011[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/diane_neal). IMDb credits her with appearances on the series from 2001 to 2021 totaling 114 episodes[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/). On breaks during filming she quizzed the show's guest stars about what motivated them, saying she wanted to absorb what she could from everyone she met on a job[3](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/05/former-law-order-actress-arresting-new-goal-after-extension-school/). She later said that in preparing the role she researched real SVU cases in New York, calling them heartbreaking[6](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/diane-neal/bio/3000029335/).\n\n## Other television and film work\n\n**Crime dramas.** In 2010 Neal took on the recurring role of Coast Guard Investigative Service Special Agent Abigail Borin on *NCIS*, playing to her crime-drama strengths[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/diane_neal). IMDb lists her as Borin on *NCIS* from 2010 to 2014 across 6 episodes, and on *NCIS: New Orleans* in 2015 across 3 episodes[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/). Her 2011 return to *SVU* meant she juggled her two best-known characters for a time; her second stint on *SVU* did not last long, and she focused on *NCIS* and a recurring spot as attorney Allison Holt on the legal drama *Suits*, 3 episodes between 2012 and 2014[5](https://tv.apple.com/us/person/diane-neal/umc.cpc.fve7ie8aigw8ej01wmm51kgp) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/). Other guest work listed by IMDb includes *The Following* (Lisa Campbell, 4 episodes in 2015), *Blue Bloods* (Kelly Blake, 1 episode in 2015), and *Power* (Cynthia Sheridan, 4 episodes in 2014)[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/).\n\n**Film.** While in the midst of her initial *SVU* stint she appeared in the straight-to-video horror sequels *Dracula II: Ascension* (2003) and *Dracula III: Legacy* (2005) as Elizabeth Blaine[5](https://tv.apple.com/us/person/diane-neal/umc.cpc.fve7ie8aigw8ej01wmm51kgp) • [1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/diane_neal). Rotten Tomatoes lists her highest-rated film appearance as *Newlyweeds* (2013) at 71% and her lowest as *Dracula II: Ascension* at 0%[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/diane_neal). Later credits include the 2021 television movie *Circle of Deception*, in which she played Peggy Sue Thomas[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/), and the 2013 [Hallmark Channel](https://www.edgepedia.org/hallmark-channel) movie *This Magic Moment*, in which she played Helena Harris[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/) • [7](https://awsprxdam.crownmediadev.com.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/highRes/866527.pdf). On stage, BroadwayWorld credits her with *Love, Loss, and What I Wore* and *The 24 Hour Plays 2007*[8](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Diane-Neal/).\n\n## Education and politics\n\nNeal enrolled at the Harvard Extension School in 2009, working online from New York, on the road between shoots, and on campus when she could[3](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/05/former-law-order-actress-arresting-new-goal-after-extension-school/). She chose it over programs at Columbia and New York University because a flexible schedule suited filming in distant locations, and she valued the academic variety; courses she cited included the psychology of close relationships, the ethics of environmental land management, and the science of physical activity[3](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/05/former-law-order-actress-arresting-new-goal-after-extension-school/). She graduated with an associate degree in May 2018[3](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/05/former-law-order-actress-arresting-new-goal-after-extension-school/).\n\nIn February 2018 she announced her candidacy for New York's 19th Congressional District seat, running as an Independent. \"This run is about the people of NY19,\" she said. \"Big money and the party machines have enough advocates\"[3](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/05/former-law-order-actress-arresting-new-goal-after-extension-school/). She has said her desire to enter politics crystallized on November 9, 2016, with the country's polarization fueling her wish to get involved[3](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/05/former-law-order-actress-arresting-new-goal-after-extension-school/).\n\nA professional profile lists her as owner of Prodigal Daughter, Inc., a role she has held since January 2003, and records her congressional candidacy under House District New York 19 from December 2016 to November 2018[9](https://contactout.com/diane-neal-93113).\n\n## Personal life\n\nIMDb's biography records her marriage to Marcus Fitzgerald on July 9, 2005, ending in divorce in 2014, and lists her parents as Chris Neal and Colleen Neal[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/bio/). Her height is listed as 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m)[4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/bio/). In interviews she has described running plot lines by her father, a real-life federal attorney[10](https://have-dog.com/neal/interviews.html).\n\n## References\n\n1. [Diane Neal Movies & TV Shows List, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/diane_neal)\n2. [Diane Neal, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/)\n3. [From playing a DA on TV to running for Congress, Harvard Gazette, May 22, 2018](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/05/former-law-order-actress-arresting-new-goal-after-extension-school/)\n4. [Diane Neal Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1011812/bio/)\n5. [Diane Neal Movies and Shows, Apple TV](https://tv.apple.com/us/person/diane-neal/umc.cpc.fve7ie8aigw8ej01wmm51kgp)\n6. [Diane Neal Biography, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/diane-neal/bio/3000029335/)\n7. [This Magic Moment press kit, Hallmark Channel](https://awsprxdam.crownmediadev.com.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/highRes/866527.pdf)\n8. [Diane Neal, BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Diane-Neal/)\n9. [Diane Neal profile, ContactOut](https://contactout.com/diane-neal-93113)\n10. [No Further Questions: Law & Order: SVU's Diane Neal interview, have-dog.com](https://have-dog.com/neal/interviews.html)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › American actors: 2000s onward › Surnames Mo to Ne*\n\n*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/diane-neal", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/diane-neal.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Diane Neal\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/diane-neal. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Diane Neal](https://www.edgepedia.org/diane-neal)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/diane-neal](https://www.edgepedia.org/diane-neal). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Diane Neal\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/diane-neal. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Diane Neal is an American actress who played ADA Casey Novak on Law & Order: SVU and agent Abigail Borin on NCIS, later earned a Harvard Extension School degree and ran for Congress in NY-19 as an Independent." }