‘CSI: Vegas’ Sets October Premiere Date, Plus Franchise Creator Promises Fans ‘More Surprises’
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
- ‘CSI: Vegas’ is calling into question the cases from the original series
- Everything has changed about forensic technology
- Franchise creator promises ‘more surprises’ in ‘CSI: Vegas’
CSI: Vegas is the revival of the original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation series that ran on CBS from 2000 to 2015. The new version will be a mix of old and new characters.
The series will see the return of William Peterson as Grissom and Jorja Fox as Sara, and it will also introduce several newcomers.
CSI: Vegas is set to premiere on CBS in October, and the franchise creator promises “more surprises” are in store.
‘CSI: Vegas’ is calling into question the cases from the original series
CBS has dropped a few trailers to promote CSI: Vegas. And they reveal that there’s been accusations of fraudulent misconduct within the same Las Vegas crime lab where Grissom and Sara worked in the original series.
In one teaser, Sara tells Gibbs that every case and every defendant that was put away with evidence from their lab “has been called into question.” She says, “Our life’s work is on the line.”
In another promo, Gibbs wakes up to a news report that details the accusations. The reporter says, “Good morning Las Vegas. Yesterday, CSIs uncovered evidence of fraudulent misconduct within their own department, dating back 20 years. A suspect has not been identified in a conspiracy that could affect the entire Nevada justice system. Internal affairs is investigating the case. Justice is coming, it will be swift.”
A mix of veterans and newcomers
The newcomers in CSI: Vegas include Paula Newsome as series protagonist Maxine Roby, the current head of the Vegas Crime Lab. The other new faces are Matt Lauria, Mel Rodriguez, and Mandeep Dhillon.
Along with Petersen and Fox, fans will see the return of Wallace Langham as David Hodges. Paul Guilfoyle will also be reprising his role of Jim Brass in two episodes. According to CSI creator and CSI: Vegas executive producer Anthony Zuiker, it’s possible more beloved characters from the mothership series will pop up.
Franchise creator promises ‘more surprises’ in ‘CSI: Vegas’
During a recent TCA panel for CSI: Vegas, Zuiker said that anytime they can get any of their veterans back, “it’s such a great plus for all of [the CSI] fans.”
“We have a couple more surprises in store,” Zuiker teased. “I could probably say that. But the fantastic blend of the original cast members with a brand new, diverse team in 2021 and beyond is such a great treat for the CSI fans and the franchise.”
Creator and executive producer of CSI: Vegas Jason Tracey promises that in addition to the traditional case-of-the-week format, the new series will also feature “a serialized arc” that begins in dramatic fashion with an attack on Brass and the Vegas lab.
Tracey says that this event “sets in motion something that Grissom and Sara primarily drive through the course of the season, but becomes something that involves all of our new characters as well.”
Everything has changed about forensic technology
One of the signature elements of CSI was the use of cutting-edge technology in forensic science. That part of crime-solving has changed tremendously in the two decades since the original CSI premiered. But Zuiker says fans will see just how much everything’s been upgraded.
“Science has changed. Technology has changed. Forensics has changed. And I think the great benefit to the franchise for CSI: Vegas is you can really see the upgrade in not only the storytelling, but the cinematic storytelling, and the forensic gadgets, and just how to tell stories in 2021 versus 2000 proper,” Zuiker said.
‘CSI: Vegas’ premieres in October
The most exciting part for Zuiker is that the new series can revisit old cases and tackle them with new methods.
He says they have a “whole treasure trove” of 814 episodes from the original series. Leaving lots of episodes they can go back and explore for many seasons to come.
Tracey added that the original series taught the world about DNA. But one of the biggest changes in forensic science in recent years has been in the area of genetics.
“That’s one of the reasons why our new character played by Paula, Max Roby, is running the lab, is from a genetics background,” Tracey explained. “What she’s able to do… we can now build a story around a pool of suspects, Agatha Christie style, that have brown hair and blue eyes in a way that 10 years ago was simply impossible.”
Season 1 of CSI: Vegas will feature 10 episodes and will premiere Oct. 6 on CBS.
