William Petersen Leaving CSI
July 15, 2008 by Lynn
A while back, the Sultan of Spoilers, Michael Ausiello left TVGuide.com and went to EW.com. Well, today he spoiled my appetite for dinner. He just released the news that William Petersen, aka Gil Grissom is leaving CSI after the 10th episode. I’m really sad. Grissom is my favorite CSI of all! This is truly bad news for the fans!
“Billy is leaving,” confirms the show’s executive producer, Carol Mendelsohn. “But he will remain throughout the run of the series an executive producer. And he will, whenever CBS asks, come back. I don’t think you’ve seen the last of Gil Grissom.”
Petersen also had this to say about the news:
“I’m in a great place in terms of knowing that I’ll be more free to make choices. And I’m responsible enough to not do it in a way that would hurt [the show].
“I want it to work for the writers, I want it to work for the cast, and, most importantly, I want it to work for the audience,” he added. “I don’t want them to abandon the show.”
Rumor has it that Grissom has a breakdown, of sorts, after Warrick’s death. He reaches a crisis in his life and:
Helping Grissom through the crisis will be his true love, Sara, played by Fox, who is returning for multiple episodes, starting with the season premiere. While Petersen confirms that Sara will figure into Grissom’s final arc, he stops just short of saying the couple will ride off into the desert together at the end of episode 10. “I wouldn’t want to say exactly what we’re going do — I want people to watch, certainly,” he chuckled. “But Sara is involved… It’s often darkest just before the dawn.”
How do you think this will affect CSI: Vegas? Will the show be like Law & Order and keep going strong with new cast members, or will the show start to decline? Leave a comment to share your thoughts!
[Photo: © CTV]
CSI, cbs, CSI las vegas, tv, Television, William Petersen
If you go onto any of the other CSI fan sites you will see a mass out pouring of grief over WP decision to leave. As I read the article posted on CNN he is staying on as an Executive Producer and will work with the writers to ensure that the show stays on course but I have to say that no on can replace him and they shouldn’t try. Whoever is brought in to fill his spot should be a totally different character type, where Grissom was reserved the new person should be out going etc. The majority of people on the sites I surf seem to want a CSI wedding and a Geekbaby and I want Sara and Grissom together also but in the end this is a crime procedural show so I doubt we will see that. But how about on decent passionate kiss between Sara and Griss. Throw us that bone at least.
OMG
I’m shocked. Really. Sitting here at work and have to read this is really hard and even harder to fight some tears.
I want Sara and Grissom togehter too, but no weird wedding oder even a baby! hello!? thoguht of grissom holding a baby!? he has enough problems to communicate with adults, how should it be with a kid!?
no no, I gues they’ll leave to san francisco…
I will enjoy the last episodes with the great gg and will truely miss him…
It is sad to see him go.
grissom pleassssssssssssse pleasssssssssssssse dont leave CSI pleasssssssssssse im beaging! im one of your avid fan here in the philippines.since i heard the news it always make me cry.im sure it will make the show decline.only william petersen give life to the show.
I am SOOOO UPSET Gil Grissom is leaving!!! CSI will NEVER be the same!!
I have been a fan of CSI from the start and I will truly miss his character. As for who will take his place? Well my hope is that they cast Lawrence Fishburn. I think that he will bring the needed strength and leadership that the rest of the team will need in the wake of loosing two of their most beloved friends and co-workers. Fond memories of both of these wonderful characters.
Well, I just have to get my feelings out and say “Gil & Sarah” were an odd match to me. When I saw them together, they looked like a nice father/daughter relationship…no sparks
I’ve been waiting all these years to see “Gil & Catherine” look into each others eyes & start a REAL romance. When they were together I could feel the physical chemistry off the screen.
I hope a CSI writer reads this…smile
Who will replace William Petersen?
Like Heidi, I always thought that Catherine would be a better partner for Gil than Sara. Nothing against Sara - I love the character! But I always thought she’d be better with George Eads’ character (just my ho).
With new blood, though, it leaves the field wide open for some kick ass story lines.
Warrick’s death and the pursuit of his killer, I’m sure, will be the main topic of next season. I can’t wait to see how they put it all together (and we all know they will! :D)
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! i’m sad…i heard rumors and now its true =””[
i’m going to start to cry. i loveeeeee csiiiiiiiii and i think Gil and Sara ”did it”. i hope they get married.its gonna be hotttt. but im goning to miss his quotes. *tear tear*
Grissom is my favorite CSI! He makes the show! CSI Vegas is the only CSI I watch. Without Grissom I hope my interest is still there. Disappointing needless to say.
I would also like to add that I worked for a very old friend of W. Peterson - Frank K. As a fan of the show already I loved hearing that he was buddies with him in high school. Anyway, I am glad to hear that he will still be involved in the show (producing), but I still prefer his character’s presence.
I just watched the episode where Warrick got killed and it was so sad, besides CSI won’t be the same without WP aka Grissom, they are CSI, Grissom please don’t leave the show,
I am so devisted that he will be leaving I love this show. Watched every one from the start. I actually went to Vegas because I loved this show! It’s truly my favorite & got so many hooked on it. But truthfully I won’t be watching it religiously anymore because I love Grissom, & all the cast that left before! I always loved him in movies, then CSI I saw him every week …… I will be crying for sure.
Mr Peterson.. Im begging DO NOT LEAVE US ,, you are not replaceable ,,hey anybody have an address i can write to him,, I gotta have him.
I know….. this is very hard to have to go through for all of us!!! I too have become very fond of Grissom/Petersen. I was totally bummed out to find a repeat on tonight instead of the continuation of last week’s intro of Laurence Fishburn. I think that he will do an excellent job in the role.. but nobody can replace my main man Grissom
guys!! dont be sad!! with billy’s genius and knowledge!! i bet the show will be great!!
im just glad he’s gonna at least be a special guest star on one [or some, hopefully] of the shows!! the williamister will go strong!! dont quit watching CSI fateful fans! =] as long as George Eads dosent leave i wont! ^__^
i want to put a voting poll out!
do you want peterson to:
a). leave forever and never come back [ people who choose this answer... YOU SUCK HARD!]
b). stay as an executive producer
c). stay on the show til the end of time ^_^
You choose the fate!!
and another thing! without grissom the show WILL END!! HE IS CSI!!! totally no offense to the other characters! you guys are the best!!!
Gearge Ead : i like his character cause you can tell he has a soft spot for children! he’s a good father figure. ^_^ [and has a hot body >.>]
Marg Helgenberger: her character has a strong personality and spirit!
Eric Szmanda: 0_0 he’s just really HOT!! and you all know it!! >:D
Gary Dourdan: He is also really hot >.>
Jorja Fox: Sarah & Grissom forever!!!!!!!! so CUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTEE!!!!!!
when she left the show, i knew there was never gonna be anymore Sarah & Grissom episodes!
the episode “Butterflied” left my heart a ‘flutter’ at the end when grissom said all that lovey stuff and Sarah was behind the window listening as if she was pinned to his words. im gonna wait for that to rerun and record it [i love DVR!]
she is my second fav character!!! love you Jorja!!
I am looking forward to seeing just how Laurence Fishburne works out in his new role…. I think he will do just fine. He has a great presence. With all the changing of characters and adding new ones, I am hoping no one else leaves the show for a while. They will all have to find their groove again as a team. I am sure that the show won’t die. William Petersen will have a hand in the production of the series. He might be gone but he’ll remain behind the scenes.
oh gil….why do you have to leave??? I have been a diehard fan since episode one. someone has some very big shoes to fill. The only saving grace is he is not being killed off..there is an open door. please stay wp, please stay.
I was saddened by the news of William’s departure from CSI. It was because of William’s character, Gill Grissom that I myself became a CSI. He will be missed. I always told my friends that if I had a boss like Grissom, I’d never leave work. I will miss him and chances are, the show will fall because of this. Don’t get me wrong, the rest of the cast is amazing and do a wonderful job but in my mind, it was William who was the glue. Good luck William for whatever the future holds for you.
Well the end has come.. Sad as it may be.. but tonight’s episode will go down in CSI history! I never expected to see Grissom and Sarah finally get together. The last scene was absolutely PERFECT. I cried … and somehow have some relief to know that Grissom has found the happiness that he deserves so much. Never alone again. It was a great ending and a better beginning for these two characters.
THERE COMES A TIME WHEN PEOPLE WANT A CHANGE IN LIFE NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO AND I FULLY RESPECT WIILLIAM IN DOING WHAT HE WANTS BUT… I FEEL ONCE ACTORS START MOVING ON THE SERIES GOES ASWELL.. CSI AND ALL THOSE OTHERS I ENJOY AND HAVE ENJOYED VERY MUCH. THANKYOU TO YOU ALL
I think CSI is not going to be the same without the extraordinary touch that Grissom gives to the episodes. I felt so good in the program where Grisson came to Costa Rica. I wish it will be real. PLEASE, continue with the films. Call me if you need an assistant.