CSI: Vegas season 2 adds two new series regulars to the cast. Picking up the long-running procedural drama of the same name, the CSI revival took a different approach than the original by going in a more serialized direction. In season 1, which consisted of ten episodes, the Crime Lab faces a serious threat that puts the entire team at risk. This leads a group of investigators led by Maxine Roby (Paula Newsome) to turn to old friends - including Gil Grissom (William Petersen) and Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox) - with the goal of solving a case centered around former colleague David Hodges (Wallace Langham).
With the confirmation of CSI: Vegas season 2 back in December, it was also announced that Petersen would not be reprising the role of Grissom. Petersen’s exit was followed shortly thereafter by two more departures, as Fox revealed that she wouldn’t be coming back as Sidle, explaining that Petersen’s absence influenced her decision. Fox felt that Grissom and Slide were a united front, noting how it would be difficult to carry on with only half of the important duo. Mel Rodriguez, who played Hugo Ramirez on the CSI reboot, was likewise revealed to be stepping aside as a main cast member.
Now, according to Deadline, new faces will be coming in as part of CSI: Vegas season 2. Jay Lee, who previously recurred as Chris Park, has been promoted to series regular. Lex Medlin and Ariana Guerra have also been cast as regulars. The trio join Marg Helgenberger as Catherine Willows, who is reprising her role from the original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Known for his role as Owen in the dramedy series Drop Dead Diva, Medlin will be portraying Beau in CSI: Vegas season 2. The character description for Beau notes that he’s a leading research scientist for Dow Chemical. But, after the pandemic, Beau felt the need to go on a different career path and graduated at the top of his class at the CSI Academy. A husband and father of four, it’s teased that Beau will have a lot to learn. As for Guerra, who starred in the Hulu drama Helstrom as Gabriella, she’ll be playing Serena. Described as a tough cynic, Serena won’t be content to let science lead the way without some difficult questions - and a bit of snarky commentary.
In the wake of Petersen and Fox leaving CSI: Vegas season 2, longtime viewers wondered how the reboot would bounce back from losing two of its most central characters so early. With these latest casting announcements, it’s clear that the CBS hit plans to both bring back a familiar favorite in Catherine Willows while also giving room for new additions to potentially carry the franchise forward. It’s something the show has learned to do through many iterations and several actor changes.
Source: Deadline