Nowadays, there are so many procedural crime dramas out there. However, very few can boast that it was one of the originals and high up on that list is the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation franchise.
This was also the title of the first series in the franchise, though many of us fans fondly referred to it as simply as CSI or CSI: Las Vegas.
CSI ran for 15 seasons beginning in 2000 and personally, it was one of the very few shows I would wait for new episodes of every week (before the dawn of streaming services). I might even say it’s one of the first to spark my interest in the crime genre! That’s why I am incredibly excited that CBS is bringing it back.
Talks of a series revival were on the table for a long time, since the last spinoff CSI: Cyber was canceled in 2016. This was confirmed in February 2020, but COVID-related shutdowns caused production to be delayed.
Finally, January 2021 saw things pick back up and in March, the revival was ordered to series. CSI: Vegas will be the fifth series in the franchise and it is set to premiere on October 06, 2021.
With that, here’s everything we know about the show so far!
Who’s behind the revival?
The CSI: Vegas revival is created by Jason Tracey, who is also set to executive produce alongside Jerry Bruckheimer, Anthony E. Zuiker (the original series creator), Cynthia Chvatal, Jonathan Littman, William Petersen, KristieAnne Reed, Craig O’Neill, Carol Mendelsoh, and Ann Donahue.
Uta Briesewitz, also credited as an executive producer, directed the pilot.
Production companies involved Jerry Bruckheimer Television, CBS Studios, and Content Partners LLC.
What’s CSI: Vegas going to be about?
Although a revival of the mothership series in the franchise, CSI: Vegas will serve as a sequel to the events following its parent series’ end.
When it ended, Zuiker already had an idea of what the characters’ futures would look like, including that they “would still have their toe in the crime water.”
Well, it seems like those ideas have materialized in the sequel!
There’s a new threat on the horizon – both to the entire city of Las Vegas and to the CSI crime lab itself. In situations like this, who better to call on than the original forensic scientists on the team: Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle.
With old friends and new faces coming together, with the help of new tricks and techniques in the lab, will they be able to put a stop to the coming dangers?
Who are we going to see?
Peterson is not only returning as executive producer but will also be reprising his role as Gil Grissom, with Jorja Fox also returning for her role as Sara Sidle.
Amongst those also returning from the original are Wallace Langham in his role as David Hodges and Paul Gilfoyle as Jim Brass (who will appear in two episodes).
So who are the new faces?
The new CSI team will consist of Paula Newsome as Maxine Roby, who’s the new head of the lab. Matt Lauria will star as Josh Folsom, and Mandeep Dhillon will play as Allie Rajan – a Level III and Level II CSI, respectively. And Mel Rodriguez will portray Hugo Ramirez, the Head Medical Examiner.
Lastly, Jamie McShane has joined the cast in a recurring capacity as civil attorney Anson Wix.
Catch the premiere of CSI: Vegas on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at 10/9c!