As far as CBS is concerned, it appeared that it had a good thing with
CSI. For years it did well on the ratings and maintained almost flawlessly its roster of dependable characters. As things started to change, however, remember that it wasn't the intention of the people behind
CSI to hit the show with these changes. Petersen, for instance, plans to do more theater and in fact already has a production of Dublin Carol scheduled this fall at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater. Now regarding his impending departure, Petersen previously said "W. need to have new life, new blood (and) it will be good for the show. And that will be good for the audience."
After reportedly being turned down by John Malkovich, Lawrence Fishburne finally said yes to joining the show, despite admitting that he hasn't been exactly a fan. Now according to CBS, the
Matrix films actor will play “a former pathologist who is now working as an itinerant college lecturer, teaching a course in criminalistics.” This dispels earlier rumors that Fishburne will play a serial killer. In an interview,
CSI executive producer Naren Shankar reveals more details about this still unnamed character.
“He's an academic, he has a background in clinical pathology,” says Shankar. Eventually, “he decides that this (the world of criminal investigation and forensics) might be an interesting way to explore himself. He feels that if he has these genetic tendencies, maybe a way to see ... if he has the ability (to become) a criminal — a way to look at it is by understanding and studying violent criminals, what they do and why they do it. In a sense it's like holding up a mirror to himself, but in an exciting and interesting way — it's a new career,”
Shankar further said that the character will join
CSI in the ninth episode. Hence, Fishburne and Petersen will actually share the screen for at least two episodes.
-Glenn L. Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source:
My Desert
(Image Courtesy of IMDB)