‘CSI’ Stars William Petersen & Jorja Fox on What’s Next for Grissom & Sara in ‘Vegas’
Fall Preview
“We’re the dinosaurs,” a jovial William Petersen says as he sits alongside longtime partner in crime-solving Jorja Fox in Los Angeles. “Billy’s more like a T. rex,” she counters with a laugh. The pair are talking to TV Guide Magazine about their iconic CSI: Crime Scene Investigation characters—dispassionate forensic entomologist Gil Grissom and his wife, intrepid forensic scientist Sara Sidle—returning to the lab in CSI: Vegas, a sequel to their 2000–15 crime drama sensation.
Last seen sailing off into the sunset in the 2015 finale movie Immortality, Sara and Grissom “were my favorite parts of the original and the perfect entrée into the story we’re telling here,” says executive producer Jason Tracey. Vegas joins a franchise that has already spawned three spinoffs, CSI: Miami (2002–12), CSI: NY (2004–13) and CSI: Cyber (2015–16).
An attack on their old workplace is the catalyst that brings the happily married couple back to dry land. “Someone’s targeting the lab. A conspiracy calls into question the integrity of the work we always saw get done,” Tracey says. “Thousands of prior convictions hang in the balance.”
New faces in Vegas include boss Maxine Roby (Paula Newsome, Barry), who’s a geneticist; senior investigator Josh Folsom (Matt Lauria, Kingdom); Level 2 CSI Allie Rajan (Mandeep Dhillon); and head medical examiner Hugo (Mel Rodriguez). We’ll also see past team members David Hodges (Wallace Langham), now an expert witness, and, for two episodes, retired LVPD captain Jim Brass (Paul Guilfoyle).
First, Petersen and Fox tell us why they decided to roll the dice on CSI: Vegas.
Sonja Flemming/CBS
Congratulations, first of all. How has it been revisiting Sara and Grissom?
William Petersen: Completely weird because we thought we’d put this to bed a long time ago. It’s a whole new thing and yet still the bones of the old thing.
Jorja Fox: Like Groundhog Day on some psychedelic [level].
When you first got the call about this sequel, what were your reactions?
Petersen: I was hesitant, but the idea of coming back and doing this with Jorja…
Fox: I was also hesitant—I felt like the story left Sara and Grissom in paradise together—but getting to work with William Petersen again? They had me at hello!
Petersen: It’s like riding a bike; you just get right back on. We got a tandem and we know how to do it.
Sonja Flemming/CBS
What’s the state of the union for these two characters?
Fox: First of all, I love Sara and Grissom. I always will. Not to talk about the olden days too much, but even though we were together, we weren’t together. We were [secretly] married, we were divorced. Embarking on this phase, we’re going to meet them not only as a couple that’s together, but a couple that’s been living on and off a boat together for several years.
Petersen: We’re working on saving and studying fish, protecting sharks, down in South America somewhere.
Fox: We kind of pulled a Jimmy Buffet.
Petersen: We’re in Margaritaville.
What on earth could cause Sara and Grissom to ditch that for Las Vegas?
Petersen: Somebody accuses the Crime Lab of having falsified evidence, and it goes back over a long period of time.
Sonja Flemming/CBS
Fox: All of the characters are tapped into [this case] for the duration of the season, and the stakes are really high. There’s loved ones involved and the safety of loved ones. And through that, we meet the new CSIs and forge those relationships.
There are weekly cases too—Sara still has CSI accreditation, and Grissom signs on as a consultant. But has the technology left these two behind?
Petersen: [Grissom walks] through the lab and [doesn’t] even understand what the machines are.
Fox: I thought it was difficult to get away with a crime in [the year] 2000. Now there’s no way to get away with murder! The science is a thrill!
Will we finally get to see some PDA this time around?
Petersen: Our attraction to each other was always based on the work. We were always in some kind of mind meld when we were working. There was nobody he would rather be in the lab with or on a crime scene with than Sara. She got it. She got him, and he eventually got her.
Fox: [Grinning] The show is going to air at 10pm, so we can be a little edgier than we were last time.
CSI: Vegas, Series Premieres Wednesday, October 6, 10/9c, CBS
This is an excerpt from TV Guide Magazine’s 2021 Fall Preview issue. For more inside scoop on the new fall TV season, pick up the issue, on newsstands Thursday, August 26.
Conversation38 Comments
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I think it's absolutely wonderful. But I truly hope they don't try to put these two in conflict with each other. Could the makers of the show please just let us have one happily married couple working together throughout the whole show and not throw us into drama with them ! Please give us happy with them. They were such a pleasure to watch. There are happily married couples out there please let them stay one.
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C
I couldn’t have said it better. They are such a loved couple.
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O
I wish the whole cast would come back one way or another. I've missed all the CSI
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I was disappointed when they took it off. I’m thrilled it came back with my two favorite people
30 1
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O
Favorite pairing ever! Excited to see them again.
25 3
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P
I love them!! Can't wait!!!
21
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G
Gente tô apaixonada demais
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O
I have always loved these two and hoped they keep together. So glad they are coming back.....
20 2
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R
I LOVED the show‼‼‼ I LOVED these characters‼‼‼ I can't WAIT‼‼‼
16 1
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O
I can't wait and it's happening on my B-day - Best gift I can think of right now!
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C
Thank you Jason Tracey! Bringing Grissom and Sara back was genius. They are the best couple ever.
You have made millions so happy.
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Can not wait for my favourite couple just need a U.K. air date now !!!
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I think it’s great I have all the old csi on dvd I love the show
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B
Wow! Gil is more handsome than ever. A true silver fox. This pair are amazing together. I will always miss Nick, Greg and Warrick
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I am so excited, it’s a wonderful surprise with my favorite couple returning together!
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Omg!! The Best couple!!!
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G
It's nice to have them back on the show again,I miss CSI Miami too was a great show and cast members past and present over the years,I was sad to see it come to an end.
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Today 👍now
CSI can call
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Good riddance!
CSI is fine with or without you!
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G
Two words… No way😂 He’s a big baby that whines when he can’t have his way. Both as Nick and himself. I like how he was in the earlier seasons before Langston came along and I especially loved his character and Warrick together. One of my favorite lines from Nick : Sweet apple piie. The Cruiser!
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P
Guess it's a case of 'unconsciously taking the unwanted traits or emotions you don't like about yourself and attributing them to someone else'.
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G
Work okay today tonight for Love
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G
Two words...GEORGE EADS
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You are work now Today now yes tonight
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Can call me is now
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G
No Willows??? If you are teasing Brass, there's got to be Willows.
6 6
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I'd rather see Catherine Willows than Sara TBH.
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Now all we need is Lady Heather...
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The odd relationship Gil had with Lady Heather was unique and somewhat strange. Her employment though is now in the new world of Social Justice, not allowed to be shown or mentioned. So Lady Heather probably won't be back in any prominent role.
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G
Sorry but I just don't buy Sara in any man-woman relationship. In CSI her hatred for men is so blatantly obvious. She labels every male as a sick demented criminal. Her weak attempts to flirt with Nick was humorous as well. But then Gil? Really Gil? He would have been a much better fit with Marg Helgenberger's character.
3 10
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Agree 100% .👍
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Ugggh. I hated Grissom and Sidle as a couple. They had NO chemistry. He had a ton more with Lady Heather!! As much as I adored CSI and Grissom was the best, as a couple they were the worst part of it.
1 9
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G
Loved Grissom but just didn't like the relationship he had with Sara. Not good
1 10
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Love him, can't stand her. I'm out.
5 20
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Byeeeeee!!!!! Love GSR!
6 1
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G
Never bought the "oh, we've been in a relationship all along" BS back then and I still don't buy it. I'll watch for him, but she's a dealbreaker.
1 10
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I never liked her..she was always very cold & cynical..no chemistry @ all.
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Personally, I thought that the relationship between them was forced &, therefore, not credible. If the scriptwriters truly wanted to create an attention-grabbing one, they would have had Gil Grissom wind up with Lady Heather. Her fire to his ice would have CSI fans flocking to watch their interactions!
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