Marg Helgenberger Leaving “CSI”

Veteran actress Marg Helgenberger has finally decided it's time to let go of "CSI."

“I was planning on leaving after last season,” Helgenberger revealed during the Television Critics Association's Los Angeles press tour. The 52 year-old actress was convinced to hang on when producers suggested that tying up her character's loose ends in an additional season would be more satisfying for audiences

“The combination of that info and me having a hard time letting go of this show and this group of people, I said yeah, maybe I still need more of this part of the process," she said. "I’m not done yet playing this character, I’m not done yet letting go. That’s why I decided to extend it a little bit.”

Helgenberger appeared at the event alongside newest "CSI" cast member Ted Danson, who has stepped in to replace Laurence Fishburne, who left after two seasons on the CBS crime drama.

The departure of Fishburne's character, it was revealed, causes some occupational unease for Helgenberger's character Catherine Willows.

“Am I pissed off that I’ve been demoted? Yeah, there’s a little bit of resentment there,” said Helgenberger.

In addition, Helgenberger revealed that the doors of "CSI" may not be forever closed to her.

"They've always left the door open for me," she hinted. 

Helgenberger has been a member of the "CSI" cast since the show's debut in 2000. She recently made headlines when she casually suggested that guest star Justin Bieber was "a brat" on the set. She later retracted her statement.

New episodes of "CSI" premiere September 21st.

Selected Reading: MSNBC, BBC News, E! Online

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