Although he’s the newest CSI cast member, academy award nominee, Laurence Fishburne says that prior to auditioning for the show he’d never seen an episode of “CSI”.

According to CTV.ca, Fishburne said in an interview, “I felt a little stupid and embarrassed that I hadn’t watched the show.”

When William Petersen, who plays lead character, Gil Grissom, announced that he was leaving the show earlier this year, producers started searching for a new lead character for the crime series.

Starting early 2009, Fishburne will play a character called “The Professor”.

Petersen will make guest appearances on the show and will continue to be an executive producer for the series.

Fishburne will start taping with the series in September.