HOLLYWOOD - Actor William Petersen is set to turn his back on his starring role in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation to make a return to the Chicago stage.
The 53-year-old contract with the CBS show came to end when filming on the seventh season concluded, and he has not signed a new one to guarantee his character Gil Grissom will feature in the planned eighth season.

He says, "I plan to go back to Chicago and do plays starting next year.

"I've been talking to (artistic director) Dennis Zacek at Victory Gardens Theatre, and we're going to do a play as soon as we can get enough time to make it worth everyone's while."

Zacek says, "I'm trying to have something custom-made for him, but it's in the making. It's not finished.

"I'm not sure this means we won't see him in any more movies or in any more TV stuff, but I do think there's a hunger to get back to the demands and the purity and the risks of live theater."

He had a good run on that show. It's not like he's pulling a David Caruso.

;)

I was surprised to see that he cut his beard off! It was like looking at the first season!

He leaves and the show will tank. No other character is quite as interesting as Gil.

I was surprised to see that he cut his beard off! It was like looking at the first season!
lol....it was a nice change.

HOLLYWOOD - Actor William Petersen is set to turn his back on his starring role in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation to make a return to the Chicago stage.
The 53-year-old contract with the CBS show came to end when filming on the seventh season concluded, and he has not signed a new one to guarantee his character Gil Grissom will feature in the planned eighth season.

He says, "I plan to go back to Chicago and do plays starting next year.

"I've been talking to (artistic director) Dennis Zacek at Victory Gardens Theatre, and we're going to do a play as soon as we can get enough time to make it worth everyone's while."

Zacek says, "I'm trying to have something custom-made for him, but it's in the making. It's not finished.

"I'm not sure this means we won't see him in any more movies or in any more TV stuff, but I do think there's a hunger to get back to the demands and the purity and the risks of live theater."

OH NO!!! SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!! :eek:

I know he has to do what is best for him. He will be VERY hard to replace. I think the entire cast is strong, but I dunno if it is strong enough....

I know everyone on here has their favorites, but this show of all the CSI's was mine. I hope it doesn't tank on account of this....

Good luck William Petersen. We love you as Gil. I hope you know what you are doing!

A few sources on the set have said(care of YTDAW), nothing is final as far as contracts for next season go. Both Jorja and Billy's contracts are allegdley up after this season, and neither have made a final decison as far as anyone knows. I'm sure when they decide either way, an announcement will be made via CBS or someone else at the studios.