CBS is canceling “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” after a 15-Season run, and ending the series with a two-hour TV movie, the network announced on Wednesday.
William Petersen, the drama’s original leading man, will return to reprise his role as Gil Grissom along with Marg Helgenberger for the movie airing Sept. 27. After the conclusion of CBS’ flagship program, current series star Ted Danson will join Patricia Arquette on”CSI: Cyber.”
“It’s easy to forget this was one of the strongest, longest-running dramas in TV history and really important to the network,” CBS scheduling head Kelly Kahl told reporters. “I’m really happy we can send it off in the right way.”
The announcement was made during a Wednesday morning press breakfast at Blackrock’s Studio 19 in New York City. The breakfast and executive Q&A preceded CBS’s upfronts presentation, which is slated for 4 p.m. ET at Carnegie Hall.
“CSI” is the second longest-running scripted non-animated primetime series, behind “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” and is the seventh longest-running scripted U.S. primetime TV series overall.
CBS announced the rest of it’s pickups and cancellations earlier this week, with the exception of “CSI,” because the network was reportedly working on a finale plan for next season.
Canceled programs on America’s most-watched network included “Stalker” and “Battle Creek,” while “The Good Wife,” “The Odd Couple,” “CSI: Cyber,” “Blue Bloods,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Person of Interest” and “Hawaii 5-0” were renewed.
Those latest renewals follow the previously announced returns of “Madam Secretary,” “NCIS: New Orleans,” “Scorpion,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Mike & Molly,” “Mom” and “2 Broke Girls.” The full list can be seen here.
Last week, CBS gave series orders to a number of new shows including adaptions of feature films”Rush Hour” and “Limitless” and “Criminal Minds” spinoff “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.”
“CSI” launched in 2000 and became an instant hit. During its first few seasons, the show averaged an impressive 25 million viewers a week. Former cast members include William Petersen, Marg Helgenberger and Gary Dourdan.
The last season finale ended with Nick Stokes (George Eads) heading to San Diego and Julia Finlay (Elisabeth Shue) in a coma.