Crime dramas are suffering from their own unsolved mysteries--the case of the departing cast members!
Earlier this week, CBS's CSI lost regular Gary Dourdan. Dourdan, who has been with the show over its seven-year life span, will be leaving after this season.
Shortly after his exit was announced, it was reported that Law & Order: SVU's Diane Neal was also calling this season her last.
Today, news broke that two more actors would be leaving their posts at the conclusion of their respective shows' seasons. Following Neal out of Law & Order: SVU is Adam Beach, who was only on the show for one year as detective Chester Lake. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Beach decided not to exercise an option in his contract that would keep him on board for another year.
Beach has seen his rep rise after winning acclaim for his role in the HBO miniseries Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, as well as his part in the film Flags of Our Fathers.
Also moving on will be Khandi Alexander, who is leaving CSI: Miami, says TVGuide.com. The actress plays Chief Medical Examiner Alexx Woods on the show, and word is her replacement will be male. CBS hasn't commented on the situation, but TVGuide says the departure wasn't exactly a friendly one.
It's unclear how these shows will be affected, but crime procedurals are often used as springboards for actors' careers and tend to have more rotating casts than other shows. Are you sad to see them go?
Comments (61)
Thank god, Adam Beach is gone. He's is truly one of the worst actors I've ever seen. I will miss Diane Neal though.
I think it is very sad that Khandi Alexander left the show, she was a wonderful character and she is already missed. I hope one day they bring her back, no offense but the new medex is just not the same.
I am sad to see Neal leave SVU and that is saying something for me because when she first replaced Stephanie March I didn't like her character but over the years I have really gotten into the kick a** character. Beach I didn't really care for though.If MH leaves this show (SVU) you can kiss my viewership goodbye NBC. I am also sad to hear that Alex on CSI Miami is leaving as well. She is a big part of the show's appeal for me. I don't really like the cast changes on CSI either. The big 3 what are you doing to my favotite shows? All these character changes on shows with very loyal viewership coming off of a season that was interupted by a writers strike. Just saying this viewer is not happy with so many changes on my favorite shows.moreless
I'm not agree with this departures, Diane Neal from SVU and Khandi Alexander from CSI Miami. But I really hope Horatio come backs alive!!!
I was sad to see Diane Neal from Law & Order: SVU leave as well as Khandi Alexander from CSI: Miami. Those 2 ladies will be deeply missed, the shows won't be the same without them, and if they loose Horatio Cane that'll be another big blow for CSI: Miami!! Other than that i can't say any of the other people leaving will be deeply missed. Warrick from CSI wasn't a too big of blow to me anyway I didn't have anything against him, but he never did anything for me. The only one from CSI that surprised me was Sara (Jorja Fox) now that one was a shocker and left a huge hole in CSI, once Sara was gone CSI has taken a nose dive, the stories this year have sucked!! Right now CSI: Miami is my fave and then it's CSI: NY and before i couldn't stand CSI: NYmoreless
I am sorry to hear that Khandi will be leaving CSI:Miami. I will miss her distinct ways in treating the bodies. I am especially saddened to hear that the departure was not friendly.
I cannot believe it, They actually killed Warrick off. I do not understand why he was shot by his own people and then there is Horatio caine. What is Ryan's involvement in Horatio being shot.
CSI has been on the air for 8 years not 7 and Gary Dourdan has stared in it form the pilot episode
Having seen the episode, Casey is suspended for 'a year, maybe more' which gives the option of bringing her back. I'd like to see Robinette switch back to the prosecution side, if we are bringing someone back, just to break the chain of female ADAs. (Not sexist, in fact I'm a feminist, just looking for variety.)
I was a late comer to the CSI scene, but have seen every show through reruns. (All CSIs) Khandi's character was great the way she talked to and cared for the dead. Though sometimes they made Alexx a little whimpy, I don't think that was Khandi's doing. I will really miss her. As for Gary, what on earth are they thinking. He is great as Warrick. Do we ever hear the true reason for people leaving our favorite shows?
I, too, am sorry to see Khandi leave, but as someone suggested I can't see Gary Dourdan in the roll, he's lost it as far as I am concerned. And Jessie Martin, from using a 38 Special to a scalpel, no way. We need a new person. And get rid of the reality shows !!!
Okay, people. Let's get realistic! I am going to miss Khandi and Greg too. But, it's just like in real life when a co-worker you like leaves! Sometimes the actors want WAY too much money! This is the basic reason we have all the yukky "reality" shows. I HATE reality shows!! As long as they can replace the leaving actors with actors we already know and love, I have no problem. But, if they replace them with "unknowns", then I tend to get upset.I think the only person I would not miss is William Peterson. OMG, you say? He is a good actor, but I do not like never seeing ANY emotions from him. He's almost like a robot!! Just watch your shows and enjoy them for what they are. Entertainment and education!moreless
Now I'm really pissed. If CBS & NBC keep getting rid of the good actors and actresses and the best Primetime shows, then they may as well "TURN OFF THE LIGHTS! CSI Miami is one of two of my favorite shows among Law & Order SVU. I watch these two shows religiously and to see a wonderful actress like Khandi Alexander leave CSI Miami suddenly, takes the cake. When the hell are you going to get rid of these sorry "Reality" shows.
This SUCKS!
I am going to miss Khandi Alexander on CSI Miami, She was great and brought much more to the morgue than any other show. The victim became more than just a body. They did leave the door open for her return. Lets hope :) I love all the actors of SVU. Sad day if the keep dropping them, they become the whole show.
urg I was just getting used to Gary leaving CSI now no more Alexx on CSI M that's just not right. I love Alexx :( As for the SVU guys they've rotated ADA's before so it's no big thing. I miss the one that went into hiding. What I'm dreading is someone on the NCIS family is gonna be killed off. I pray it's not Abby or Tony
Mmm, I saw her profile on millionaire&celeb dating site "R i c h M a t c h M a k i n g.com" yesterday, seems she is looking for true love online now.
I won't miss Khandi on Miami. I will miss Gary though on CSI. Mixed feelings on beach. If Mariska or CI's Goren ever leave though, I'll start a one man riot over at NBC Studios.
I am really sad to see Diane O'Neal leave the show. I think her character was great, I hope they will bring back Stephanie March. I don't think it will make a difference about Adam Beach Leaving he was a nice addition for the one episode, other than that he was not really a big part of the cast. I kinda liked his character though.Khandi Alexander was really one the of the reasons I watched CSI Miami, I am really sad to see her leave the show. I think that it is even worse to replace her with a guy. We will definitely miss her presence on the show.
Beach leaving isn't that huge of a blow. If Belzer comes back I'll be glad.
Eh. I don't care for CSI. Lake shouldn't leave SVU. He had a good moment in Svengali with the Pizza then it blowing up. Casey definitely shouldn't leave. She pretty much makes the episode! What were they thinking!?!?
I agree Khandi Alexander will be greatly missed on CSI : Miami at least she will still be on the reruns lol as for Beach at least we will see more of Munch again
Khandi Alexander will be greatly missed! CSI never did give due her character justice. She is a great actress. I wish her great success!
It would be interesting to see Jesse L. Martin replace her or Gary Dourdan on either CSI. I loved Jesse ever since he portrayed Dr. Butters on ALly McBeal and I will miss him on Law & Order.
I never did care much for Adam or Diane on SVU. I wish Dick would bring back Jill Hennesey! WIth Adam gone maybe Munch will have more screen time!!
I'm dreading to see who's getting killed off my favorite show, NCIS. I don't see why they have to kill regular cast members!
This can't be good!!! I mean who is going to replace her on the show as the morgeatisean!?!
Adam Beach...No big loss. Diane Neal will hurt some but not for long. After my initial distaste for her I've grown fond of her style and will hate to see her go. Khandi Alexander can't really see her doing anything else, so that will be weird. Dourdan...I'll miss him but I don't think the show will suffer too much.
Man, I can't win. First we lose Jorja Fox on CSI, now Gary Dourdan? AND Khandi Alexander? What am I, a jinx to every show I watch? Everyone's leaving!
Ok i hate to see the cast memebers go. Khandi really doesn't affect me because I don't watch that show. Gary NO please don't go! Diane I hate to see got but maybe if all of the SVU fans pray really really hard we could get Cabot back!! With Adam leaving we may see more of Munch again!!
People really like Khandi Alexander and her character?!! I never saw that coming!! She's horrible ... overly melodramatic.
The only real loss for me is Gary, he's a great actor playing an interesting character and he will be missed.
I haven't gotten over Jorja Fox leaving, and now with Gary Dourdan leaving it might be the last straw. If they leave of their own accord, I understand. But I think there is more to it than that. These shows have a large supporting cast and it can get expensive. But CSI is not the same as L&O. There has been more character development in the CSI shows. Many people are attached to the original cast and ratings will suffer. They have already gone down since JF left and will no doubt decrease further with GD leaving. I can't comment about SVU because I haven't watched it since Stephanie March left. And I haven't watched Miami since Speedle was killed off.
Forget Adam Beach, I'm still mourning the loss of Diane Neal! Her quirky one liners, bad ass attitude and all together passion to prosecute will be missed dearly! Hmm, interesting that Khandi Alexander's parting wasn't pretty... And I don't care that much for Gary Dourdan in CSI so not too bothered there. But Casey! Yep that one has hit me hard. I would probably be more bothered about losing everyone else if I wasn't so preoccupied with Diane Neal leaving...
I heard there will be another cast change with Law and Order. Jesse L. Martin is leaving the show.
That is horrible!!! I don't want Khandi Alexandere to leave CSI:Miami.
=(
Well I really haven't gotten used to seeing Adam Beach on L&O: SVU so it really doesn't bother me to much that he's leaving. As for Diane Neal...I don't care much for Casey Novak so her departure is fine by me. But not Gary!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! What am I'm gonna do without Warrick? I hope he doesn't die or get arrested.
i really dont care about lake he seemed odd and fifth wheel to me,i still dont understand why he joined the showthe only thing that wories me is i heard a rumor that olivia, aka Mariska Hargitay was leaving. which i am totally against I lOVE HER!!
Beach never really seemed to fit in on SVU anyway. He just seemed like a fifth wheel. Or really, more like a ninth wheel.
Oh man, I wonder if they'll write Novak and Beach out together...
But as far as people departing TV shows goes, I seriously hope people from Prison Break, Lost, and Heroes don't start bailing this week.
People really liked Khandi Alexander's character?! I don't get it. I thought she was a rip off of Roma Mafia's character on Profiler. I prefer a character like Ducky from NCIS. The ME is supposed to be the odd one.
I'm going to miss Khandi Alexander ;(
Khandi Alexander will be greatly missed, but I hope this is her chance to get her own show.
Granted I haven't kept up with CSI: Miami but Khandi Alexander's character Alexx Woods was a character that I looked forward to. Her character gave the show a balance to all the crime and hatred in the world. She will be truly missed on the show. As well as Gary Dourdan. Love his character the most. Yes he is one fine man, but he brought an urban feel to show and lab.
I am seriously morose about Diane's departure from SVU. She has been a kick-a$$ prosecutor for the SVU for the past 5 years. I'm going to miss her brilliant one-liners, compassion to do the right thing, and just her in general.I don't know who's idea it was for her to leave, I've heard different stories, (if it was you Dick Wolf, we need to have a chat!) but whatever her future endeavors include, i wish her all the best. She will undoubtedly be missed!
Diane Neal leaving SVU will probably kill the show unless they can find a way of brining back to older ADA.
Alexander leaving Miami going to be a huge punch on CSI Miami. THIS IS CRAZY!!!!
I'm noticing a lot of cast changes in a lot of my fave shows, and the loss of these wonderfully talented actors and actresses is going to affect their respective shows. When a cast is already male dominated, the loss of ANY female cast member is a blow. By replacing Khandi with a male actor, just puts more pressure on the rest of the regular female cast.
It'll be interesting to see how CSI handles the loss of Gary, since it's looking like William will be leaving the show in the next few years as well.
No offense to Adam, I think he's a capable enough actor, but if his departure means more time for Richard Belzer (Munch) then good. I didn't like the fact that Lake was brought on as Finn's parter that Munch was sidelined in most episodes.
Khandi Alexander is the ONLY reason why CSI: Miami is sometimes better then CSI, without her the cast will be boring and shallow. It's official, I will no longer try to love that wannabe sister of the great CSI
I will miss both Neal and Beach. More Neal than Beach though. The guy couldn't even stay on for more than one season? Whats up with that?
Khandi Alexander &
Gary Dourdan
???????????????????????????????????????
She was one of the best parts of the show and he was ....pretty good!
:(
Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
I'm going to miss both Diane and Khandi. They added so much to their respective shows.
i love Khandi...shes great..shell be missed by me