CSI: Vegas season 2 has been renewed at CBS. Continuing the long-running procedural drama of the same name, the CSI revival distinguishes itself from the original by taking a more serialized approach to its storyline. As they face a serious threat that threatens to bring down the entire Crime Lab, a new team of investigators led by Maxine Roby (Paula Newsome) looks to the help of old friends — including Gil Grissom (William Petersen) and Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox) — to investigate a case centered around former colleague David Hodges (Wallace Langham).
Consisting of ten episodes, with a cast that also included Matt Lauria, Mandeep Dhillon, and Mel Rodriguez, CSI: Vegas made its premiere in October. Although it was initially promoted as a limited revival, there was widespread expectation both with fans and industry observers that the project was actually testing the waters for a more permanent return. This was, in general, due to how both network and streaming services have come to rely on recognizable franchises as a draw for audiences. But specifically, as it related to CSI, the procedural has defined CBS for the past few decades and there were high hopes attached to bringing it back.
It’s now been confirmed that CSI: Vegas has been renewed for season 2, just days after its season 1 finale aired. However, according to Deadline, Petersen will not reprise his role as Grissom, though he’ll remain an executive producer on the project. That is because the actor had only agreed to appear in the first ten episodes of the revival series. As for Fox, her contract allows for her to continue as Sarah moving forward if she chooses to do. It’s noted that the show’s producers are hopeful that she will.
It wouldn’t be the first time that the CSI franchise would have to continue without its original actors. During its initial run, which continued for 15 seasons, Petersen left after nine seasons though he’d continue to make occasional guest appearances. The same is true for Fox, who departed in season 8 but frequently was involved in a guest-starring capacity. And, to balance these departures, CSI added television icon Ted Danson in a casting move that was praised for bringing new life to the long-running drama.
Audiences may see a similar move with CSI: Vegas, as the revival could pull from its deep bench of characters to fill any potentially cast gaps in the now official season 2. With fans calling for the return of Marg Helgenberger as Catherine Willows, it could potentially be the case that one Crime Lab vet swaps in for another. Or, alternatively, the show’s producers could decide to give the newer characters more space to ingratiate themselves with viewers.
Source: Deadline