Gil Grissom hættir í CSI

CSI staple William Petersen is leaving CBS’ forensic crime drama this season. The actor, well known for his role as philosophical science wiz Gil Grissom, will appear in his last scenes as a regular on the long-running series during the tenth episode of the season.

“Billy is leaving,” says CSI executive producer Carol Mendelsohn tells EW. “But he will remain throughout the run of the series an executive producer. And he will, whenever CBS asks, come back. I don’t think you’ve seen the last of Gil Grissom.”

William assures fans that he will return to CSI periodically for special guest appearances:

“I’m in a great place in terms of knowing that I’ll be more free to make choices. 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 added. “I don’t want them to abandon the show.”