William Petersen Leaving CSI
The good news is that the site is back. Thanks to all who stuck with us during the outage.
The bad news is that our dear William Petersen has decided to leave CSI. This will be Billy’s last season as the lead actor of the franchise that started it all. The show originally reported that Billy had signed a 9th season contract back in April. The thing is is the contract expires mid season. Probably when Billy’s play starts.
The other good news is that show runner Carol Mendelsohn says we having seeing the last of Billy Petersen.
“Billy is leaving. 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.”
For his part Billy wanted the transition to be good for everyone, “I want it to work for the writers, I want it to work for the cast, and, most importantly, I want it to work for the audience,” Billy said during at interview with ET. “I don’t want them to abandon the show.”
Billy also seems pretty pleased with where he’s landed. “For me, it’s a really good situation. I don’t want the audience to think it’s not… [It isn't] like there’s something going on, like ‘Petersen’s unhappy,’ ’cause it’s not true. It’s quite the contrary. ”
Expect the Grissom story line to be turn dark right before Billy’s departure.
The events of last season’s finale — specifically the death of Dourdan’s Warrick — will push Grissom to the breaking point. “The easiest way to describe Grissom is ‘in crisis,’” Petersen told me. “As a man. As a scientist. As a teacher. As a middle-aged person who has been very successful at what he’s done… [he] wonders, ‘What’s the point?’
Expect Jorja Fox as Sara to return to help Grissom through the difficult time.
This will be a very different CSI. It’s amazing that an ensemble castlasted 8 season. I won’t stop watching but it hasn’t been the same since Jorja left. How are you guys feeling about the changes?
July 15th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
i cant believe he is leaving!
whats happening to CSI?
i feel the same way about Sara not being there.
It HASN’T been the same.
July 16th, 2008 at 11:40 am
good comments, but grammar needs work to read better.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I have been with the show from the beginning. The show has taken on some major twists but that is what has made this show #1. Grissom leaving will be crusial, but not the end. I just hope that any replacement that is brought in will have the sophistication of Grissom, but the smarts to bring his own character to life without imitating Grissom. Can’t wait to see what the new season has in store for us.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:39 am
I can’t believe Billy is leaving! The show will never be the same. First it was Jorja, Then Gary and Now Billy…Who will be next???
As A fan of Jorja Fox, I really want her to come back to the show and stay, when she left, I was devestated, she was my fav character.
To much is changing in the world’s most beloved show and it’s not good.
How we’ll see some more of Billy and Jorja back on the show sometime!
BEST OF LUCK TO BOTH OF THEM IN THE FUTURE!
XOXOX
July 27th, 2008 at 12:00 am
I think the next one to leave will be Eric Szmanda who seems to be more focused on music proyects, he always said to stay as long as possible so…
August 28th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I just hope the people behind the show would be able to make the changes look like part of the story so people would understand why there are new characters. I sure do think Grissom would be coming back for a couple of episodes even if he’s gone.