Another Original CSI Character Is Returning To The Franchise

One of the originals is coming back!

By Jacqueline Lindenberg | Published

This article is more than 2 years old

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It was just announced that Catherine Willows, an original member of the CSI cast, is officially returning to the popular and thriving franchise. Marg Helgenberger will be reprising her role in CSI: Vegas. Helgenberger played the role of Willows back in 2000 in the original crime drama series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. The actress played the lead character for a grand total of 12 seasons and received critical praise and recognition for her performance. Fans will be able to see her on the screen once again for the second season of CSI: Vegas. 

Marg Helgenberger will be filling in for William Petersen and Jorja Fox, who will no longer be on the series, according to Cinema Blend. A positive note, however, is that Helgenberger will have more than just a tiny guest appearance on the CSI spinoff series. According to Deadline, the actress will be a series regular on CSI: Vegas and also has a one-year deal to appear. Helgenberger herself is extremely thrilled to have the opportunity to reprise the role of Catherine Willows once again. 

In an interview with E! News, the star voiced her excitement to return to the CSI family. Helgenberger said, “CSI: The Gift That Keeps On Giving. So excited to be joining forces with the talented team at CSI: Vegas. This is gonna be fun!” Although some original stars are not returning for the second season, Helgenberger will star alongside a very talented cast. Some other actors on the series include Paula Newsome and Matt Lauria. The news that the role of Willows will be reprised was first announced on the show’s Instagram by CBS, according to E! News.

csi marg helgenberger catherine willows
Marg Helgenberger as Catherine Willows on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Marg Helgenberger had been on the acting scene since the 1980s, having smaller roles in television shows such as Frasier and the soap opera Ryan’s Hope. Landing the role of Catherine Willows shot her to stardom. During her time on the CSI series, the actress was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress in a Television Drama Series. Helgenberger was also nominated for Emmy Awards for her role as Willows. Although the actress never won an award as Best Actress for CSI, she did win an an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in the drama China Beach.

Although not all of the original cast will be in the second season of CSI: Vegas, it will be great to see Catherine Willows solving crimes in the vibrant city of Las Vegas. CBS has recently been rebooting original shows, and since CSI is such a classic, the series is definitely a must watch. In the past, Helgenberger has reprised her role on a few CSI episodes, but not on a regular basis. CSI: Vegas season 2 doesn’t have a firm premiere date set yet, but it is expected some time either in the latter half of this year or the beginning of 2023.