Andrew MacPherson/CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images
Dust off your DNA swabs and black lights, CSI is making a comeback. According to multiple reports, CBS is looking to revive CSI: Crime Scene Investigation for a limited series just in time to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the premiere.
CBS declined to comment on the revival miniseries reports.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, series creator Anthony Zuiker is behind the revival with executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Jason Racey is penning the script, but no stars have officially signed on as the project is said to be in the deal-making phase.
CSI ran for 15 seasons on CBS between 2000-2015 and spawned a number of spinoffs—CSI: New York, CSI: Miami and CSI: Cyber—and at times was ranked as the most-watched show in the world. The concluded its in September 2015 with a two-hour special featuring original series stars William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger.
The ensemble cast over the years included Ted Danson, Gary Dourdan, George Eads, Paul Guilfoyle, Jorja Fox, Laurence Fishburne, Liz Vassey, Elisabeth Harnois and Elisabeth Shue.
Helgenberger is currently in the CBS family with All Rise.
In its heyday, CSI had more than 30 million viewers. By the time the show wrapped up—and competition ramped up—in 2015, the finale had just 12 million viewers.
TV revivals continue to be a safe bet for networks as they attempt to reach viewers in an ever-increasing crowded programming landscape. Recent revival event or limited series include Veronica Mars, 24: Live Another Day, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, The X-Files, Prison Break and Twin Peaks. CBS previously revived Murphy Brown, but the new version of the Candice Bergen sitcom lasted just a season.
Recent successful ongoing revivals include ABC’s Roseanne, which became The Conners, and Will & Grace, which is wrapping up its revived run after three seasons.