Laurence Fishburne scans CSI before joining Cast

Laurence Fishburne of ‘The Matrix’ fame would soon step into the shoes of William Peterson to play the forensics investigator on the hit CBS detective drama ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.’

Despite being oblivious of the show, Fishburne says he was "elated and delighted” on being approached by its executive producers, Carol Mendelsohn and Naren Shankar. "I felt a little stupid and embarrassed that I hadn't watched the show prior to having a meeting with them," he said.

However, he was intrigued by the episodes that the producers had sent to familiarize him with the show’s theme. The acclaimed actor found them to be “really, really engaging and really wonderful, and kind of dark and moody, like a lot of the work that I've actually been involved in."

“I'm very excited," he added.

Fishburne, who received an Oscar nomination for playing Ike Turner in ‘What's Love Got to Do With It’ is now on board CSI, the top-rated CBS show and the third most-watched scripted series in all of U.S. prime time.

Joining on through the 10th season, Fishburne will portray a former pathologist turned college lecturer, who meets the members of the CSI team while on a homicide investigation – and ends up joining them.

But, there is something sneaky: The character's genetic profile matches that of some serial killers.

"This gentleman knows this about himself and is ... in this journey to discover who his true character will ultimately become," CBS programming Chief Nina Tassler said.

The 47-year-old actor has done substantial work in films like Othello, Mission Impossible III and Mystic River but this will be his first major venture on the small screen. Last, he made an appearance as Cowboy Curtis on the 1980s kids show ‘Pee-wee's Playhouse.’

Peterson, who had been playing the significant role of team leader Gil Grissom since the show's inception in 2000, is now looking for other creative pursuits. He will however, remain as an executive producer and might make an occasional guest appearance on the show.

Shankar believes the show’s ratings should not be affected by the modifications. "What makes shows go off the rails is they forget who they are. We're a crime-mystery-forensics drama, and that won't change," he said.

Fishburne and Petersen are expected to be share the screen space for the show’s 9th episode of its 9th season.