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Breaking News: IT'S OFFICIAL! WILLIAM PETERSEN LEAVES 'CSI ...

LOCATION: Las Vegas THE SKINNY: Well, it’s official, William Petersen is leaving

CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION this year and the unit may never be the same without its venerableleader Gil Grissom.At the CBS TCA press tour today, CBS Entertainment President NinaTassler spoke about Petersen’s exit during the ninth seasonof the venerable series.

 “He’s leaving after Episode 10, but it certainlyisn’t the last time we’ll see him,” says Tassler.

Most importantly, the replacement for his character, isn’t a“replacement” per se according to Tassler. “I don’t think you replace Billy, you sort of look atadding elements to the show that are really going to invigorate andcontribute to the alchemy of where the show is today,” addsTassler. “They’ve created a great character. He’sa doctor, a scientist who’s got a very interesting DNA thatis going to inform the duality of the character. So it’s notnecessarily replacing Billy.”

That said, Tassler also emphasizes that when Grissom leaves as headof the unit, this new character won’t suddenly take over. “He comes in a little bit as an outsider, someone who isultimately going to work his way up within the team and ultimatelybecome head of the unit,” says Tassler.

Above and beyond Petersen’s departure, Tassler says executiveproducers Carol Mendelsohn and Naren Shankar have a great seasonplanned overall. “These are two producers who are at the top of hisgame,” says Tassler. “Strategically, we’ve beentalking about this for quite some time. It started last year. Andthey have unbelievable season planned. We’re startingcertainly with the resolution of the cliffhanger. Jorja Fox iscoming back. We’ve added a new CSI [cast member with] LaurenLee Smith. We’ve got an unbelievable – DVR-proof seasonof CSI.”