Image Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBSThis should come as some relief to CSI fans: Though Marg Helgenberger’s contract on the CBS procedural expires at the end of this season, the actress is expected to return to the show in some capacity next fall.
Here’s the rub, though: It doesn’t sound like she’ll play Catherine Willows for an entire season. The actress told People that “we’re talking maybe [only] doing a few episodes” so the 52-year-old actress can return to the theater. “The older you get, the more comfortable you become with who you are and who you are continuing to become,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the next chapter.”
Refrain from panicking just yet, though: One insider says its unclear how many episodes Helgenberger will ultimately do because her new deal has yet to be finalized. So stay tuned.
Helgenberger has been on the show since its 2000 premiere and the third original cast member to consider giving up series regular status. Gary Dourdan (Warrick Brown) departed in 2008, followed by William Petersen in January 2009 — though he recently reprised his role of Gil Grissom in the Feb. 3 episode. (Relive it by clicking here). - Follow the mystery (of TV!) at @EWLynette
CSI scoop: Marg Helgenberger talks about her contract, her TV boyfriend and William Petersen
I like Fishburne, and when I watch Langston episodes, he’s ok. The problem is CSI was seriously established. They didn’t need another big name. Heck Fishburne is a bigger ‘name’ actor then Peterson was. They should have just said ‘Grissom is leaving, Catherine is the boss. Moving on’ and let her become the focal point of the show.
I agree.
I absolutely agree. I think it would have been awesome if a woman was the lead in one of these CSI shows.
I think it would’ve benefited the show greatly to have promoted Liz Vassey’s character to a CSI, a la Greg. She hasn’t booked any full on series gigs yet, so here’s to hoping maybe she’ll get brought back! They can always fudge her storyline to make it work.
Hopefully Super Ray does even less. Let Nick be the lead, he’s the heart of the show anyway.
Nick, Grey, Sara, Doc Robbins, female newbie and all the lab rats back sounds good to me.
Hope you get your wish for a lilly white cast…..it’s 2011 and we are STILL HERE
Why do you feel the need to make this about race? There’s nothing wrong with disliking a character on the show–it isn’t always about skin color so get over it!
Jorja Fox gave up her series regular status for a while too, she just came back
xx| Psh, perhaps she is finally realizing that her botched and quilted face is HORRIFYING! |xx
Good point, Grey. OTOH, never cared for her character. Or Jorga’s character. Once Petersen left, I kept watching ’til I realized that Fishburne, good actor tho he is, was boring on the show, and why in the heck was I wasting my time watching? So I don’t.
She hasn’t been on all that much this season
Hope she stays. She is, and has always been, my favorite character.
I love her but it is normal that her character leaves. Catherine has gone through so much that she might need a break. Marg rules!!!
Her character is such a horrid person that I’m glad she’s leaving.
All Marg last year keep saying in public how much paper that was the last season. Now it turn out to be in the 12? I hate not keep your word. It was never my favorite character. The heart and soul of the series was Grissom, although some want to ignore. I can not stand the character of Langston. I fall asleep when he speaks. Nick character, nothing of nothing of nothing of nothing.
This show has been on for 11 years? Time to retire it, although CBS would replace it was show just like it.
nice
CBS seems to have a habit of keeping a lot of shows on WAAAAY past their prime. Time to get rid of some of these shows and replace them with something fresh. This isn’t 2004 anymore.
IMV, letting her go will be another mistake. Petersen and Helgenberger both of them have served as a centre of the series from day one; with both of them leaving on whichsoever a basis, viewers might feel somewhat empty of the show.
Grissom, come back!
is this not CBS or CSI not able or wanting to pay for her natural increase based on the length of the show?