CSI: Crime Scene Investigation star Marg Helgenberger to leave hit TV show next year

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 03:41 EST, 4 August 2011

She has been a stalwart of hit TV procedural CSI: Crime Scene Investigation since the show's inception nearly ten years ago, and has appeared in almost every episode.

But now, Marg Helgenberger will be hanging up her white coat for good after announcing she is leaving the show at the end of next season.

The 52-year-old actress, who plays Forensic Scientist Catherine Willows on the show, made her announcement during a press conference in Beverly Hills today.

Leaving: CSI star Marg Helgenberger announced she is leaving the hit series during a press conference In Beverly Hills today

The actress revealed it had been a difficult decision to leave but was looking to do more theatre work.

'I've been itching to get back on the stage, but it's been hard,' she said. 'The commitment on this show and then raising a son, who's now 20, a production assistant on CSI. He was nine when I started the show.

'That's one of the cute things about being on this show as long as you've been on,' she added.

'A lot of crew members' children who were all little kids at the time are now working on staff. That's what makes it even more of a family and even harder to leave.'

Stalwart: Marg, who appeared on today's panel alongside new cast member Ted Danson has been in almost every episode of CSI

Discussion: Marg appeared alongside executive producers Carol Mendelsohn and Don McGill and cast  Ted Danson and George Eads at today's panel

The star also said that she had considered leaving at the end of last season, but decided to hang on a while longer.

'I was having a hard time letting go and that I was not yet done playing this character,' she said. 'That's why I decided to extend (my contract) a little bit.'

However, Marg, who made headlines back in May when she called guest star Justin Bieber 'kind of a brat,' claimed that the door would be left open for her character to return.

'Yeah, there's chance [I'd come back],' she said. 'They've always left the door open for me.'

In action: Marg will play CSI supervisor Catherine Willows, as seen with Ray Langston (Laurence Fishburne), for one more season

But it looks like her last season will be an exciting one for Marg and her character Catherine.

The arrival of new lead character D.B. Russell, played by Ted Danson is set to shake things up for her professionally following the departure of Dr Ray Langston, played by Laurence Fishburne.

'There is a little resentment, but Ted's character so far is endearing and has a unique way of looking at a crime scene,' said Marg today. 'It's a nice fresh perspective and it kind of gets under everyone's skin a little bit, in a good way.'

New cast member: The first photo of Ted Danson as lead investigator D.B. Russell on the hit series

Meanwhile former Cheers actor Ted seemed excited about getting stuck in to his new role.

'I was thrilled, happy,' he said. 'My jaw is still hanging down a little bit from the newness of all this.

'I love going to work,' he added. 'I am so happy to hang with this cast - to be able to step into that atmosphere is a joy.'

Ted makes his debut in the new season premiere on September 21.

Comments (15)

Share what you think

• Newest
• Oldest
• Best rated
• Worst rated

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now