Helgenberger: I'll Probably Be Back For Another Season

[CSI Files]

<font color=yellow>Marg Helgenberger</font> (Catherine Willows) isn't sure how long she's going to stick around.

Helgenberger said that season eight of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation was "just getting started" for Catherine before the writers' strike began. "My late father on the show had been a casino mogul and was killed," she explained in New Zealand's TV Guide. "Basically I've inherited this big hole in the ground, which is now being developed into another big casino hotel. The show was moving in the direction of how Catherine was perhaps going to make decisions about whether to continue being a criminalist or move into that world but so far we've only hinted at it."

Helgenberger said that she is uncertain about her future on the show. "I'm contractually obligated until the end of this season," she said, "and there was a big question mark for me at the beginning of this season because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do." Helgenberger said that she "sort of envied" former castmate <font color=yellow>Jorja Fox</font> (Sara Sidle) when she left the show because "she made this decision to leave this very popular show just because she was ready to try something else. So I was envious but incredibly supportive."

Despite the fact that Helgenberger's contract will be up at the end of season eight, fans will probably not be saying goodbye to Catherine just yet. The actress spoke about her son <font color=yellow>Hughie</font> graduating from high school and her family buying a new house to renovate, but even with "a lot of things weighing on my mind", she will likely stay to finish what she started on CSI. "[W]ith the strike, I don't think they can wrap up Catherine in the remaining episodes if we come back, so I have a feeling I'll probably be coming back for another season."

The original interview is from TV Guide. Thanks to <font color=yellow>jbird</font> at Your Tax Dollars At Work.<center></center>

 

[LaSquisita]

The obvious question: if they can wrap it up this season, will she leave? How hard will she push for closure or might she pull a Jorja and agree to stick around for just a few episodes in season nine? Curious Series Investigators want to know.
LaSquisita

 

[EricaSJ]

As much as I hope Marg will just leave the show, it seems to me that she'll return for season 9 because like her, I don't think they'll be able to wrap up Catherine this season. If they do that in the remaining episodes of season eight, then these episodes will be extremely Catherine-heavy and even I, as a big Catherine fan, don't really want to see that.

I think she'll probably leave as soon as their planned storyline for Catherine is done. In the past couple of years she has been giving me this impression that she's tired, too. She never had a fuss, but she indicated it a few times, or at least I think she did. Thing is, if William Petersen is to leave for real, I think TPTB are going to please Marg as much as possible to make her stay for another one or two seasons.

 

[kaylyne]

I find her comment on the "big hole in the ground" kind of interesting, because it brings to mind the conversation Cath had with Nick in 7x11 Leaving Las Vegas:
"All of Sam's money is tied up in a big hole in the ground on a very nice piece of Strip real estate, but I got no dog in that fight."
I took that to mean that she wasn't part of that particular inheritance. Then again, it's a CSI continuity issue, so why am I surprised?

I agree with you, Erica. As a Marg fan, I wouldn't be hurt to see her leave the show. I just hope they're able to make a decent, well-timed-out storyline for her character's departure.

And somehow I just knew she (and probably the rest of the main cast) would be envious of Jorja's decision to leave.

 

[jafox]

I enjoyed the whole interview. Like WP, she is very candid. She mentioned in the original interview how the last day of JF's filming was sad. I think it reinforces how special the cast is. They work well together and they genuinely care about each other.
I also think MH sounds tired just like WP. I hope they give her a classy exit when it is time. She is a great actress and I know we will see her in many other projects.

 

[NZGirly]

CSI_Files said:
she explained in New Zealand's TV Guide.

New Zealand's TV guide!?!?!
OOOh must buy it!
It seems like a really interesting interview. I have to read it.

 

[mjszud]

I'll be sad to see Marg/Cath go. I've always enjoyed her humor, she's fun to watch!
I give Vegas one more season & sadly I see it coming to an end. I'll be surprised it they make it through a full 10.

 

[EricaSJ]

Not sure if it's the right thread, but here's a heads-up for those interested in news about Marg. The actress is featured in the latest issue (March 2008) of the Access DirecTV magazine (website not accessible at the moment). In the article/interview, she talks about her career and marriage. You can see the cover here and read the full article here.

Many thanks to iconraven for posting the information in the Margamania LiveJournal.