CSI Losing Its Main Man
Monty Brinton/CBS
Apparently it's all gotten to be too much for Crime Scene Investigator Gil Grissom. Or, it will.
Calling it an actual signoff rather than yet another sabbatical, EW.com reports that William Petersen will be leaving CSI sometime midseason.
"Billy is leaving," series executive producer Carol Mendelsohn said. "But he will remain throughout the run of the series an executive producer. And he will, whenever CBS asks, come back. I don't think you've seen the last of Gil Grissom."
"My biggest problem with leaving the show at any point isn't leaving Grissom," said Petersen, whose previous leave of absence came when he took five weeks off to do theater in Rhode Island. "I'm an actor, it's time to do other things. "[The hard part will be saying goodbye] to the cast and crew. [So] I'm going to stay as involved as I'm allowed to be throughout the remainder of this show. Until they turn off all the lights."
Petersen's exit will mark the latest blow to the procedural's original main lineup, which lost Jorja Fox and Gary Dourdan last season—although both will be making appearances in coming episodes (one more posthumous than the other).
"We do have a plan," Mendelsohn added, assuring fans that there will be blood—both new blood and the regular DNA-filled, splattering kind—to make Petersen's pending departure less painful.
In addition to Dourdan's brief appearance in September's season premiere, Fox will have a multiepisode arc brimming with romantic possibility, The L Word's Lauren Lee Smith and as-yet-unnamed manly type will be joining the team as new CSIs, the Miniature Killer will show her face again, and The Exorcist helmer William Friedkin will direct the series' 200th episode this spring.
"Billy will definitely be on the set for Mr. Friedkin's episode," Mendelsohn told EW.com, "whether it's behind the camera or in front of the camera is TBD."
BIG PICTURE
Big Easy Brad A bundled-up Pitt readies for some Button-down press on the Today show in New Orleans
More PhotosE! News Now
-
Breaking: Hudson Suspect Arrested
Police have obtained an arrest warrant for Jennifer Hudson's estranged brother-in-law. Get the latest.
-
Fey Laughs It Up in "Vanity Fair"
Funnygal Tina Fey is flirty and fabulous as she takes us on the set of her "Vanity Fair" photo shoot! Sneak a peek.
-
Simon Cowell Compliments Britney
The "American Idol" judge actually has something nice to say for once! Hear his pop star praises and "Idol" invitation.
-
Hot Hollywood Hookups
Is Whitney Houston back with Bobby Brown? Who's sleeping in Kate Bosworth's bed? Is Orlando Bloom engaged? Find out!
Most Commented
- Rosie Live DOA, Rosie Says (270)
- Grey's Anatomy: What Is Wrong With Izzie Stevens? (259)
- Backstage at DWTS: There's Something Funny About Brooke Burke (123)
- Madonna, A-Rod Make Beautiful Music Together (110)
- Heroes Redux: A One Tree Hill Star Has Been Cast! (109)
- Kanye West's Elvis Presley Complex (92)
- Miley's Mess and Lance's Lip Service! What You Didn't See on DWTS (93)
- Britney on Being Old, Dating and Her Son's F-Bombs (83)
- Rosie Live Stiffs; Barbara Walters Clicks With Obama (80)
- What's the Next Twilight? (72)
Top 10 Stories
- Jennifer Hudson's Brother-in-Law Arrested for Family Murders
- Kirsten Dunst Fends Off Serial Trespasser
- CSI's Marg Helgenberger Splits From Hubby
- Britney Spears, Simon Cowell Make (Ratings) Record
- Brandon Davis Smash Hits Pink's Ride
- By Jove! Downey Jr. Downed on Sherlock Set
- Sienna and Balthazar Still Together for Turkey Day
- Latest Details on Travis Barker, DJ AM Reunion Gig
- Britney Spears: Looking for a Husband?
- Four Christmases Outnumbers Twilight at Box Office
Hot Topics
Fashion Police
Buddy SystemSienna gets zero friendship points for not telling Keira something looks out of place on her dress
More Photos
More Pics from mystyle.com
Our Partners
Shop
-
"Coffee, Tea...or Soup?" Mug Spend $40 on The Soup items and get this mug for just $5!
-
The Soup Talking Bottle Opener It really does talk...Check it out!
Get Your E! News Now
E! News Now
-
Breaking: Hudson Suspect Arrested
Police have obtained an arrest warrant for Jennifer Hudson's estranged brother-in-law. Get the latest.
-
Fey Laughs It Up in "Vanity Fair"
Funnygal Tina Fey is flirty and fabulous as she takes us on the set of her "Vanity Fair" photo shoot! Sneak a peek.
-
Simon Cowell Compliments Britney
The "American Idol" judge actually has something nice to say for once! Hear his pop star praises and "Idol" invitation.
-
Hot Hollywood Hookups
Is Whitney Houston back with Bobby Brown? Who's sleeping in Kate Bosworth's bed? Is Orlando Bloom engaged? Find out!
36 Comments
-
Show the next 1 - 0 of 36 comments
Now loading...