CBS confirmed the rumors that have started about a month ago that Laurence Fishburne will replace CSI star William Petersen. Even though nothing was said about the time when Petersen will leave the show, the event will happen around the time that Fishburne will step in, during the 9th episode of this season.

Fishburne will play the part of a former pathologist who is now giving lectures on criminalistics at several colleges around the country. He specializes in understanding criminal behavior and will work as an associate investigator with the CSI team for some time before becoming a Level-1 CSI himself and join the team.

The interesting thing about the character is that his genetic profile is similar to the one associated to serial killers and his motivation for becoming an investigator is the fact that he feels violent impulses himself.

According to the E! Online magazine, Laurence Fishburne said that he feels “elated and delighted to be joining the cast of CSI. I look forward to a wonderful collaboration with the creative and talented team of such a successful and distinguished show."

The guys at CBS said that they are fully prepared for the departure of William Petersen, and that Laurence Fishburne has been their favorite choice for replacing him. What is more, William Petersen will continue to work on the series as an executive producer. He has been with the show since it was first aired in fall 2000.

Laurence Fishburne received an Academy Awards nomination in 1993 and won a Tony award in 1992. He is probably best known for playing Morpheus in the Matrix trilogy.