"CSI" may have locked down William Petersen for another season, but the same cannot be said of co-star Gary Dourdan.
TVGuide.com is reporting that a source has confirmed that Dourdan, who has played "CSI" forensic expert Warrick Brown since Season 1, is leaving the show.
The exact date of Dourdan's departure is not yet known, but, with the actor's contract expiring next month, the May 15 season finale will likely serve as his final episode.
Though a CBS spokesperson would not confirm or deny the report, TVGuide.com says that CBS has already launched a search for his replacement, reportedly issuing a casting call for the role of crime scene investigator Ray Santoro, a "handsome, smart and athletic" male in his late twenties to early thirties.
Dourdan's Warrick is the second major character to leave "CSI" this season, with Jorja Fox's Sara saying goodbye in November. Other show regulars Marg Helgenberger and George Eads are expected to be back for the show's upcoming ninth season.
CSI to me is like Law & Order or E.R. It's not an actor-driven show where it's all about the lead (like David Caruso likes to protray on CSI: Miami.) It's about the characters and solving the crimes at hand. So if they need a revolving door of actors to come in and shake things up, then so be it.
No comments:
Post a Comment