Marg’s Moves

CSI star Marg Helgenberger is stepping away from a major role in the popular crime series. But she’s keeping busy with a new real life romance and plans for guest appearances on the show.

By Franck Ragaine
Soap World – June 2011

You’re set to step away from your long running role as Catherine Willows on CSI. I also believe that there are some new beginnings in your love life too (after splitting from husband of 19 years Alan Rosenberg)?
I guess there are new beginnings of my romantic life (with new partner Alan Finkelstein). We’ve been together for almost a year and we’re having a lot of fun. He likes to travel, which is great for me because I enjoy it as well. He is an art collector and we went to many galleries in Paris in September… He shares all his knowledge with me and that’s been a great adventure.

Does your heart beat the same way at 51 as at 20?
In some ways it’s almost better I guess. When you’re older you have the experience and you know what you like and what you don’t like. There’s less fighting that goes on when you’re older if you’re compatible. You tend to respect each other more than when you were 20.

You’re going to Paris in May. How do people react over there when they see you?
I’ve been there about seven times. I remember one time we were in the Musee d’Orsay and all of a sudden I was mobbed, people wanted to have a photograph taken with me… I was embarrassed a bit because it created a scene and the security guard didn’t find it amusing.

What are you planning on visiting the time around?
I love walking in Paris. I want to go to the Rodin Museum. I would love to go to I’Orangerie… and also the Catacombes.

There has been talk that you were permanently leaving CSI after this season but now we are hearing you may be coming back next season?
First of all it hasn’t been decided yet by CBS. But as far as the producers go, they would like me to stick around.

What made you consider staying on?
CSI executive producer Carol Mendelsohn asked me whether I could do a couple of episodes next season… also crew members who I have been on the show with for 11 years came to me individually and said: “Is it true, are you really leaving?” That broke my heart and I thought maybe I needed to give it a bit more time to process it. Those people that I work on a daily basis, I love them. I’ve never just been able to say: “ok, that’s it I’m done, I’m moving on”. I’ve never been like that. So all those things contributed to choose that decision. But again it hasn’t been totally determined.

How many episodes would you like to come back for?
I would say at the most eight but I would keep it open ended because I don’t want to have any kind of contract.

So CBS still has to agree on those terms. When do you think there will be a definite answer?
They have to have something done fairly soon because the writers are going to have to write the story.

CSI recently celebrated 250 episodes, how was that?
It was so nothing, a big cake, a lunch break. It was the writers, the producers, the actors, the crew and that’s what kind of made it special because we all love each other.

Former CSI favourite Grissom (William Petersen) was also there at the 250 episode celebrations too?
Yes he was. He expressed to me when we celebrated this 250sepisodes… that he wants Grissom to be a part of Catherine exit which I would love too and I know the producers and the fans would like that too.

But you will do a few episodes next season?
I’m exiting in the way that I won’t be a substantial part of the show anymore.

There are rumours there could be a crossover between CSI and The Mentalist. Would you like to work with Simon Baker?
If I can work with Simon Baker, I’m all for it. I actually know him…and he was always really lovely, always really cool to me.     ♦