There is yet another cast shake-up for crime drama CSI.
Longtime cast member George Eads is taking a leave of absence from the show following a rift with a writer, according to USA Today. The length of absence, which begins after the third episode of season 14, is as-of-yet undetermined, but is being called temporary, adds USA.
The Hollywood Reporter first broke the story, and notes that producers for the show did not give an exact date for Eads’ return, but said he should be back by the end of the season.
“George Eads will not appear in several episodes during the first half of the season. We look forward to him returning to CSI very soon," a rep for CBS TV Studios confirmed for THR.
This is not the first time Eads has temporarily hung up his investigative badge – according to THR, he and co-star Jorja Fox were fired from the show in 2004 over salary negotiations. Both actors since returned to the series.
According to THR, Eads was unhappy with the creative direction the writers were taking his character, Nick Stokes, who he has portrayed on the series since 2000.
Image courtesy of CBS Press