'CSI: Vegas': Marg Helgenberger Reveals How Catherine Fits Into the Mystery of Season 2 (Exclusive)

etonline.com:

Marg Helgenberger steps back into the shoes of Catherine Willows on , and only ET was on location in Las Vegas, Nevada, while they filmed Thursday's season 2 premiere to welcome the veteran actress back to the franchise — and find out just how she fits into the new normal.«Marg Helgenberger is a legend and Catherine Willows is a character that I could not wait to write,» showrunner and executive producer Jason Tracey told ET's Will Marfuggi in June. «That voice is indelible.

It's been there in the beginning of this franchise and it means a ton.»With the departures of original stars William Petersen and Jorja Fox after season 1, Tracey detailed the pitch process to have Helgenberger agree to return, though she's expressed that it wasn't an instant yes. «It was exciting,» he recalled of their initial meeting. «I got to take her out to breakfast and pitch what I had in mind for this season.

You're sitting down opposite this woman who you grew up watching and she somehow looks better now. It's very intimidating is how.»Helgenberger further elaborated on why it took her a beat before ultimately coming aboard for the spinoff.«I had to really give it a lot of thought because I left midway through the 12th season, mostly because I felt like I was ready to go, as great as the job was,» Helgenberger said of her original departure from in 2012. «I gave it about a week or so and then I had a conversation with Jason Tracey and [producer] Jonathan Littman and Jerry Bruckheimer TV.

It was a process, it was a process.»«Why would a woman — she’s been retired for a while -- why would she come back? 'Cause it’s not an easy job,» she continued. «I had my ideas and Jason had his and we're marrying those two ideas together.»Picking up nine.