CSI: Vegas might have lost its legacy stars from season 1, but another big name will be filling the void with her return in the second season. Deadline reports that Marg Helgenberger has now officially signed on to reprise her CSI role as Catherine Willows in CSI: Vegas following prior reports that she was in negotiations. Per the report, Helgenberger will be returning as a series regular, making Catherine’s comeback much more than a mere cameo.
Because the legacy cast members featured in season 1 have both exited the show, the inclusion of Helgenberger will keep the revival CSI show’s link to the original series. Because Helgenberger has signed a one-year deal for the show, there’s speculation that CSI: Vegas could end up bringing back different legacy characters for each eason, a move that would make sense as each season follows a new serialized mystery.
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For season 2, Helgenberger join returning series regular cast members Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, and Mandeep Dhillon; Mel Rodriguez departed the show after its first season. Helgenberger’s casting might not have happened if not for her schedule just happening to open up at the right time. The actress was set to star in an NBC pilot, and when the network passed on moving forward with that show, Helgenberger was able to pick up another series regular role.
CSI: Vegas is produced by CBS Studio in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television. It is executive produced by Jason Tracey, Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman, KristieAnne Reed, Anthony Zuiker, Carol Mendelsohn, Ann Donahue, Craig O’Neill, William Petersen, Uta Briesewitz, and Cindy Chvatal.
Related: CSI: Vegas Star William Petersen Hospitalized After Feeling Ill On Set
William Petersen and Jorja Fox Are Not Returning for Season 2 of CSI: Vegas
CBS
Helgenberger was the original co-lead of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation alongside William Petersen. She exited the 15-season series in its 12th season following Petersen leaving as series regular after season 9. Jorja Fox, who was a series regular in the first eight seasons and later returned for seasons 11-15, had joined Petersen as one of two legacy cast members returning for CSI: Vegas. Once Petersen decided he’d leave Vegas after just one season, Fox decided that she wanted to go as well.
“Hey all you CSI fans! After much deliberating, I have decided not to ‘Sidle up’ for CSI: Vegas,” Fox said on Twitter. “For me CSI has always been a love story. The story that people can find love in the darkest of places and times. And the story that love, even in the darkest of places and times, can expand and grow roots and endure. I personally just can’t split Sara and Grissom up again. So goes Grissom…..So goes Sara. Wherever they go, they belong together. Thanks for watching everyone!!!!! Keep tuning in! I know I will. CSI: Vegas has an incredible team and it should be an amazing show!”
It’s not yet clear when CBS will premiere the second season of CSI: Vegas, but with Marg Helgenberger on board, many original CSI fans have a lot to be excited about, even without Peterson and Fox returning.
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