Report: Peterson off, Fox back on 'CSI'

Los Angeles -- "CSI" executive producer Carol Mendelsohn said Jorja Fox will return to the top-rated U.S. crime drama next season just as William Petersen is leaving.

Although Fox quit the show earlier this year, Mendelsohn told EW.com the actress will again play Sara Sidle in "multiple" episodes starting with the season opener in September.

Also set to appear in that episode is outgoing "CSI" cast member Gary Dourdan, who plays Warrick Brown.

"We're not saying whether or not Warrick lives or dies," Mendelsohn told the entertainment news Web site. "But we will say that the premiere may be the last time our loyal fans see the entire original 'CSI' cast together."

As for Petersen's upcoming departure, Mendelsohn told EW.com the move did not come as a surprise to the "CSI" creative team.

"We do have a plan," she promised, revealing that an A-list actor will join the cast later in the season and play a professor, with a background in pathology, who becomes a crime scene investigator.

EW.com said Kurt Russell, John Malkovich and Laurence Fishburne were said to be the running for the part.

Mendelsohn, however, would only confirm that Malkovich had been approached about the role, but said he ruled out doing the show because of scheduling conflicts.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.