CSI: Vegas
CSI: Vegas is an American crime television series that debuted on CBS on October 6, 2021. It is a sequel to the long-running series "", and the fifth series in the "CSI" franchise. The first season stars William Petersen and Jorja Fox as Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle, reprising their roles from "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation", while Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, Mel Rodriguez, and Mandeep Dhillon portray new characters. Wallace Langham and Paul Guilfoyle also reprise their roles as David Hodges and Jim Brass, being credited as guest stars. Originally branded as an epilogue limited series, it was  renewed for a second season in December 2021, without Fox, Petersen, or Rodriguez returning. The first season consisted of ten episodes. Production. Development. Following the airing of the of "", in 2015, series creator Anthony E. Zuiker said the future of the characters would be that "Grissom and Sara ... [would still be] sailing the oceans, ... saving the environment, ... [would have] children, and they would dedicate their lives to the betterment of humanity. ... Catherine would still be running the crime lab, ... <nowiki>[</nowiki>Brass<nowiki>]</nowiki> probably would retire, ... and DB probably is working in the private sector in Washington  DC. And I think that all these characters would still have their toe in the crime water." Soon after the cancellation of the last series in the franchise, "", in 2016, it was announced that the producers were open to reviving the franchise. The CBS Entertainment president at the time, Glenn Geller, said, "We are incredibly proud of all "CSI" shows. It may come back in another incarnation." On February 10, 2020, it was announced that an event series sequel to "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" was being discussed, from Jason Tracey, CBS Studios, and Jerry Bruckheimer Television, with Tracey, Jerry Bruckheimer , and Jonathan Littman as executive producers.<ref name="2/10/20"></ref> On August 10, 2020, it was announced that the series was still in development, now titled "CSI: Vegas", with the original star of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation", William Petersen, set to executive produce alongside Tracey, Bruckheimer, Littman, KirstieAnne Reed, Zuiker, Craig O'Neill, and Cynthia Chvatal.<ref name="8/10/20"></ref> In February 2021, the series was nearing a formal straight-to-series order. It was also announced that although it is being billed as an event series, it could become an ongoing series airing multiple seasons. On March 31, 2021, it was announced that "CSI : Vegas" had officially been ordered to series, with Uta Briesewitz directing the pilot. On December 15, 2021, CBS renewed the series for a second season, although Petersen, Fox and Rodriguez won't return as cast members. Casting. On February 10, 2020, it was announced that two of the original stars of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation", Petersen and Jorja Fox, were in talks to potentially reprise their roles as Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle. On August 10, 2020, it was announced that Petersen and Fox were still in negotiations to return, and that casting was under way for five new characters . On February 12, 2021, it was revealed that Paula Newsome, Matt Lauria, and Mel Rodriguez had been cast in the series. Lauria and Rodriguez both previously guest-starred as different characters in the franchise. It was also revealed that Petersen and Fox were finalizing their deals. On March 31, 2021, it was announced that Mandeep Dhillon had been cast in the series. Later that day, it was revealed that Wallace Langham would reprise his role as David Hodges, and Petersen and Fox were officially announced as being cast. On May 3, 2021, it was announced that Jamie McShane had been  cast in a recurring role and that Paul Guilfoyle would reprise his role as Jim Brass in two episodes. In September 2021, Zuiker hinted that additional "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" characters may make appearances in the series. On December 15, 2021, it was announced alongside the second season renewal that Petersen won't return as a cast member, though he would remain as executive producer. On January 25, 2022, it was announced that Fox will also not return for the second season. Two days later, it was announced that Rodriguez would leave ahead of the second season as well. On  February 11, 2022, it was announced that Marg Helgenberger will reprise her role as Catherine Willows in the second season. Filming. On August 10, 2020, it was announced that filming was planned to start in the fall of 2020, whenever COVID-19 conditions permitted Hollywood production to resume. On January 8, 2021, it was announced that the series is set to begin production in early 2021.<ref name="1/8/21"></ref> Filming began May 4, and was scheduled to run until November 4, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. On August 22, 2021, it was reported that Petersen had been taken to a hospital after  becoming ill during filming. Release. The series was originally planned to air on October 6, 2020, to mark 20 years of the day of the premiere of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation". However, on August 10, 2020, it was announced that due to COVID-19 related production shutdowns, the series would not be able to meet that premiere date. On January 8, 2021, it was announced that the series is set to air during the 2021–22 television season. On May 19, 2021, CBS announced that the series would premiere in fall 2021, on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET. On July 12, 2021 , a premiere date of October 6, 2021 was announced by CBS, to mark 21 years since the day of the premiere of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation". The first season comprises ten episodes.