French star Huppert to guest star on 'Law & Order'

[March 31, 2010]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Isabelle Huppert is poised to join the ranks of acclaimed French actresses who have graced "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

According to series executive producer Neal Baer, Huppert is expected to guest star in the NBC drama's season finale as the mother of a kidnapped child.

Huppert is among the most-nominated actors ever in France's annual Cesar competition, comparable to the Academy Awards, and was head of the Cannes Film Festival jury last year.

Her credits include "The Piano Player" and "The Lacemaker" and, among her rare American films, "I Heart Huckabees."

Leslie Caron and Jeanne Moreau also have appeared on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" at Baer's invitation.

The series isn't snubbing American actresses. The episode Wednesday night includes a quartet as guest stars: Ann-Margret, Jaclyn Smith, Morgan Fairchild and Susan Anton.

On April 28, Sharon Stone will begin a four-episode arc in which she plays an assistant district attorney who once worked with New York police Detective Elliot Stabler, played by series star Christopher Meloni.

"She's been terrific," Baer said of Stone. "She's very detail-oriented, from what the wardrobe should be to making sure of all the things a D.A. would say."

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," which also stars Mariska Hargitay, airs 10 p.m. EDT Wednesday and repeats at 10 p.m. EDT Saturday.

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[Associated Press; By LYNN ELBER]

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