CSI: Vegas Season 2 Story Details Tease Greg Sanders’ Return

CSI: Vegas season 2 details reveal more about Eric Szmanda’s upcoming return as Greg Sanders, explaining why the character shows up in the revival.

CSI: Vegas season 2 story details reveal more about the return of Greg Sanders. It was announced, in December 2022, that Eric Szmanda would be returning to the CSI franchise as Sanders. Szmanda began his stint as Greg on CSI by being a recurring presence in the first two seasons, but he was quickly embraced by audiences and added to the main cast in CSI season 3.

Asked to share more about what brings the long-running character to CSI: Vegas season 2, it’s revealed by TVLine that Sanders will make his first appearance during the March 30 episode. According to showrunner Jason Tracey, Sanders shows up because he’s “mulling his future and he needs some good advice from some very wise women in his life.”

Related: CSI: Vegas Season 2 Hints At A Dark Double Twist

Why CSI: Vegas Season 2 Struggles With Its Returning Characters

CSI: Vegas lost two of its most recognizable actors after season 1. William Petersen did not come back as Gil Grissom. His exit was followed shortly by Jorga Fox confirming that she would not be returning as Sara Sidle. Explaining her decision, Fox noted that Petersen’s absence influenced her decision — since Sara and Gil are vital to the history of CSI, and shouldn’t be separated in her view. To make up for their loss, CSI: Vegas season 2 marked the return of Marg Helgenberger as Catherine Willows.

As she has settled back into her veteran TV role, there have been questions about whether the CSI revival is wasting Catherine. Like many revivals, CSI: Vegas is functionally a reboot. It brings back some original cast members and mixes up with new additions to the franchise, in the hopes that those recent additions catch on with audiences. As part of an ensemble, Catherine’s story is not always the focus in the series.

It’s a different approach than Criminal Minds: Evolution. Although they are both continuations of popular franchises, Criminal Minds: Evolution is largely focused on the returning actors. New additions to the cast are used in a supporting capacity or as villains, rather than as co-leads, as CSI: Vegas has tried to do. With the arrival of Sanders looming, there may be a renewed focus on the characters that started it all.

More: Is CSI: Vegas Season 2 Borrowing From An Even Darker Crime Hit?

Source: TVLine