Helgenberger: “Tired of CSI”

The original interview was published in French. You can find it on TVMag.com. This English version was translated by Angela and is owned by Margamania. Please credit us when you use the content of the translation.

Interview in Los Angeles for TV Magazine with Marg Helgenberger who plays Catherine Willows

By Nathalie Chuc | Translated by Angela
TVMag.com – March 20, 2011

With a figure that looks like a teenage girl, size 34 (US size 4) and height of 1.68m (5’6″), Marg Helgenberger, 52, looks like a fragile flower. But don’t be fooled by her appearance, the CSI veteran —a natural redhead!— knows her business. For the interview, she invites us into her huge trailer. On the fridge there are photos of her son, Hugh, William Petersen, her ex-costar, of her birthday celebration in the studios and of her beloved dog that she, much to her regret, can’t bring to the set.

Marg Helgenberger, 11 years spent working on CSI, it’s quite something!
It’s mostly the decade I have spent that I see! [Laughs]

How did the departure of William Petersen, the former star of the show, in 2009 affect you?
It was hard to see him go even though he still remains our executive producer. His tremendous energy is what we miss the most. Sometimes when we were feeling tired because of the long hours spent on the set, he was there to cheer us up. His departure left a great void. I think the writers were a little lost after he had left and were unsure about what to do.

And then Laurence Fishburne came in…
Yes! We cannot complain. His arrival was a gift. I admire him a lot, I’m a big fan. He’s very professional. He said that he was nervous when he first came in — and I’m sure he was! But he’s doing a pretty good job. Laurence plays as part of the team, he’s not the kind of guy that says, “I’m doing you a favor by being here”.

You said you wanted out after the 10th season…
Eventually, they found a way to keep me by having me do less episodes. It suits me well for now, and it allows me to travel: I went to Europe in September, then to St. Barts — your French island! And I’m leaving for New York this month. However, I think it’s time to move on. I’m tired of the show. [Laughs] And being stuck in the studios ten months a year, it’s hard to find room for a role in a film… Anyway, I would rather be with my family and my friends.

Should your fans prepare for the worst?
We’ll see. If I leave, I’d like my character Catherine to have a nice exit. Otherwise, it would be unfair to the fans and to me. Besides, William Petersen told me during a dinner with his wife, my new boyfriend and I, that Grissom could come back if I need help in leaving the show in style! Not bad, huh?      ♦