William Petersen Plans to Exit CSI
William Petersen by Robert Voets/CBS
I think I hear
CSI fans everywhere screaming. We teased casting changes for the CBS drama in a recent
Mega Minute, and alas, those changes include
William Petersen, whose
recently signed contract only guarantees his appearance until the upcoming season's 10th episode, a rep for CBS confirms, following a report from
EW's Ausiello.
Petersen isn't gone for good, though. He will be staying on as an executive producer, and has agreed to make special appearances throughout the remaining run of the series. This marks the third original cast member to leave the show, following
Jorja Fox and
Gary Dourdan's departures last season.
Producers, however, promise a memorable exit for Grissom (including Fox's return next season for a multi-episode, Grissom-Sidle arc) and some exciting changes in the show's future. "We're out to add new characters to the show, and the show will change as a result," said exec producer
Carol Mendehlson. "But that's a good thing."
So, how do you feel about Petersen's choice to become only a part-timer? -
Adam Bryant
