CBS’s CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is about to get a new face: Elisabeth Shue (Leaving Las Vegas). The original show that spawned a franchise has been on TV since 2000 and has seen its share of character turnover: Warrick Brown (Gary Dourdan) was killed off in the eighth season’s finale, Gil Grissom (William Petersen) has been replaced by new characters portrayed by Laurence Fishburne and, current starrer, Ted Danson. Marg Helgenberger, an original leading cast member, will now exit her recurring role to make way for Shue, but is expected to reprise her role as Catherine Willows in future guest appearances. Helgenberger will depart in January and Shue will debut during the episode that airs on February 15th. For more on Shue’s expected role on CSI, hit the jump.
Deadline is reporting that Shue will play the newest addition to the CSI team who has just completed an anger management course. Rumors abound that D.B. Russell (Danson) had fired her when she was under his employ at the Seattle office. Sounds like Shue’s character might have a bit of a Maria Bello-in-Prime Suspect flavor to her.
CBS has been courting Shue for a number of years, offering her plots year in and year out. Her addition comes at a good time as CBS is able to inject new blood into an aging series (much like they have done with Ashton Kutcher in Two and a Half Men). Shue can next be seen on the big screen in House at the End of the Street. But you can catch her before that when CSI airs on CBS every Wednesday at 10PM EST.