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Add the andPOP Facebook Application(andPOP) - William Petersen has decided to leave "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" after more than eight seasons as forensics specialist Gil Grissom.
The tenth episode of the hit show's upcoming season will be Peterson's last as a full-time series regular, executive producer Carol Mendelsohn confirmed to Entertainment Weekly.
However, the original cast member will return for occasional guest appearances and will stay on as a "CSI" executive producer.
"I'm in a great place in terms of knowing that I'll be more free to make choices."," Petersen told EW. "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 said. "I don't want them to abandon the show."
Petersen, who took a break during the 2006-07 season to perform in a play, has more stage projects lined up in the near future, including a starring role in "Dublin Carol" at Steppenwolf beginning Nov. 13.
"CSI," which debuted in fall 2000, will feature the return of several familiar faces in the episodes leading up to Grissom's departure, including former colleague and love interest Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox), Lady Heather (Melinda Clarke) and the Miniature Killer.
A new male investigator is also set to join the series, though the role has yet to be cast.
"CSI" finished last season as CBS's top-rated series and ranked No. 9 among all shows with an average weekly audience of 17 million.
It has spawned two successful spinoffs, "CSI: Miami" and "CSI: New York."
