Actor Laurence Fishburne, 47, has officially joined the cast of TV crime show CSI to replace actor William Petersen as a former pathologist and lecturer who helps investigators understand why people turn violent, dpa reported.
"He is a powerful and intense actor, with an incredible range," said CSI executive producers Carol Mendelsohn and Naren Shankar in a joint statement.
Fishburne's TV credits include the long forms Miss Evers' Boys, which scored him an Emmy, and The Tuskegee Airmen. He earned an Emmy for a guest spot on Fox's short-lived Tribeca. He recently received a Tony nomination for Thurgood.
"I am elated and delighted to be joining the cast of CSI," Fishburne said in a statement, adding that he looked forward to a "wonderful collaboration" with those involved in the series.
Fishburne was nominated for an Oscar in 1993 for his portrayal of singer Ike Turner in the movie What's Love Got to Do With It. His film credits include The Matrix series, Apocalypse Now, The Color Purple, Mystic River, 21 and Akeelah and the Bee.