Comcast.net TV

Stepping into Gil Grissom’s shoes will be no easy task. That might explain why CBS is going in an unexpected direction with the new character who will be filling the void when William Petersen checks out in episode 10 of the upcoming ninth season of "CSI."

CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler dished some tidbits about the show’s changes while addressing reporters at the TV critics press tour.

“They've created a great character. He's a doctor, a scientist who's got a very interesting DNA that is going to inform the duality of the character.”

She went on to say, “He is an outsider coming into the CSI unit...He has an interesting genetic profile that in certain medical contexts, they've noticed many times that serial killers have the same genetic profile. And this gentleman knows this about himself and is sort of on this journey -- to discover who his true character will ultimately become.”

What is this, "Silence of the Lambs" meets "Dexter"?

Tassler promises, “They have an unbelievable season planned. We're starting certainly with the resolution of the cliffhanger. Jorja Fox is coming back [for the first three episodes]. We've got an unbelievable -- I call it the DVR-proof season of "CSI."

For anyone worried this will cause a "CSI" ratings cliff dive, Tassler was quick to remind the room of Mandy Patinkin’s departure from “Criminal Minds” last season. “We added Joe Mantegna, and the show came back better and stronger than ever.”

CBS says an "actor of stature" will be cast, and while they wouldn’t say who they were looking at, some of the names being tossed around the gossip mill are John Malkovich and Laurence Fishburne.

Click here to comment: Can anybody replace Grissom? Will you still watch 'CSI' without him? Who would you like to see cast in the new role?




Message Edited by Tracy_Phillips on 07-19-2008 05:31 PM