Summary
- The CSI franchise has introduced iconic characters with diverse personalities and perspectives on criminal investigations.
- Each show in the CSI universe delivers a mix of crime procedural and interpersonal drama, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.
- Characters like Laurence Fishburne’s Dr. Raymond Langston and Ted Danson’s DB Russell bring depth, humor, and chemistry to the team, making them well-loved by viewers.
The CSI franchise has been going strong since 2000 and has introduced some of the most iconic characters on television. Through the many characters on the show, audiences are exposed to all types of personalities and multiple perspectives on how criminal investigations should be done. While some characters may stand out due to their brash and single-minded approach, others garner attention through their development and growth over the seasons.
Included in the universe are the shows CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, CSI: Cyber, and CSI: Vegas. While CSI, Miami, NY, and Vegas follow the work of forensic scientists working to catch killers, Cyber focuses more heavily on behavioral analysis. Regardless of the style of the series, each show delivers fantastic characters, with equal parts crimeprocedural and interpersonal drama that always leaves the audience on the edge of their seats.
Related
Every CSI Crossover Episode Explained
Team-ups were very common in the CSI shows. Here’s a breakdown of every crossover between CSI: Las Vegas, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, and CSI: Cyber.
12 Laurence Fishburne As Dr. Raymond Langston
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Though Laurence Fishburne only graced CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as Dr. Raymong Langston for three seasons, he was a memorable part of the entire franchise. Fishburne is universally known as a fantastic actor, and he uses his talents to their full capacity in his role as Langston. He was a medical doctor before joining the CSI team and his father was in the military. Throughout his brief run, he has his fair share of difficult moments, but Langston never fails to see through an investigation to its end.
11 Ted Danson as Diebenkron “D.B.” Russell
CSI, CSI: NY, CSI: Cyber
Ted Danson has recently gained fame for his role in the series The Good Place (2016 – 2020), but before this, he had many fantastic credits, including his time as DB Russell on CSI. Russell had all the characteristics that carry though the roles that Danson plays. He was funny, interesting, and delivered vital comic relief throughout the serious topics that crime procedurals deal with. Russell arrived on the scene in season 12 to take over as the team’s leader, and played a critical role in the brief spin-off, CSI: Cyber. Russell has chemistry with anyone he interacts with, and easily became a well-loved part of the team.
10 Marg Helgenberger As Catherine Willows
CSI, CSI: Vegas
Catherine Willows has one of the most intriguing backstories on CSI as a mother who changed her path from exotic dancing to raising her daughter and becoming a CSI. She rises through the ranks of the investigation team to eventually become Lieutenant after Gil Grissom leaves. After Willows left the show in season 12, she made a short return in Vegas, but season 2 of CSI: Vegas might be wasting Willows, as she is such a strong character. Willows undergoes significant trauma over the course of the show, including the death of her daughter’s father, but what truly defines her character are her abilities.
9 David Caruso As Horatio Caine
CSI: Miami
Horatio Caine has a different leadership style than others on CSI and CSI: Miami but that doesn’t make his tactics any less effective. He is unshakable in the face of adversity and keeps so cool under pressure that it’s easy to question whether or not he’s afraid of anything. He’s the Lieutenant of the Miami crime lab, a difficult task that he handles effortlessly. As the protagonist of Miami, he balances his casual demeanor with an undercurrent of intensity that makes him very compelling.
8 Mandeep Dhillon As Ahayla “Allie” Rajan
CSI: Vegas
CSI: Vegas is a newer addition to the CSI franchise, premiering in 2021. With the new incarnation of the investigation formula, came Allie Rajan, a CSI who differs from past characters because of the opportunity for growth that she has. She is less sure of herself than other investigators, but she has all the talent she needs to back up her decisions. At this point in the series, she hasn’t asserted herself and become the force of nature that she can be, but watching her grow as a character is part of what makes her so memorable and unique.
7 Jorja Fox As Sara Sidle
CSI, CSI: Vegas
Sara Sidle’s relationship with Gil Grissom often defined her, but she is much more than that. Although the pair have a compelling dynamic, and it was gratifying to see them get married, Sidle brings a lot of firepower to the team, regardless. She briefly left the show in season 8, to return for season 11 and season 1 of Vegas alongside Grissom. Sidle was a particular champion for survivors of domestic violence on the show and was unafraid to throw her weight around when it came to making decisions for the team.
6 Gary Dourdan As Warrick Brown
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Warrick Brown has one of the richest personal lives of all the original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation team members. His specialty in the field is audiovisual investigation, which stems from his outside pursuits of music and various creative endeavors. One of his most difficult traits is his gambling addiction, but this does not prevent the team from relying on him, and he works hard to overcome this. He proves his courage in season 8 when he stands up to a corrupt cop guilty of murder.
5 Adam Rodriguez As Eric Delko
CSI: Miami
Eric Delko was a mainstay of Miami throughout its run, and it’s no wonder considering how much he brings to the team. As an investigator, there is no question about his talent, in addition to his empathetic nature and excellent emotional intelligence. He is seen attending therapy a few times throughout the series, which sheds a positive light on men receiving care for their mental health struggles. Delko has a complicated past with his family, which leads to trouble for the Miami team, but he is a fighter who always comes out at the other end of a conflict better than ever.
4 Rory Cochrane As Tim Speedle
CSI: Miami
Tim Speedle spent only three seasons on CSI: Miami, until his character’s untimely death, but he made those three seasons count. The Miami team remembers him long after he passes on, and he never truly leaves the fabric of the show. Though there are questions as to why CSI: Miami killed off Rory Cochrane’s Speedle, it didn’t take away from what an excellent investigator he was. He sometimes let his short temper get out of hand, but only because he cared deeply about the investigations.
3 Sela Ward As Jo Danville
CSI: NY
Although Jo did not start out on CSI: NY in season 1 and joined the cast later in season 7. As a late addition, she stands out on the show and elevates the character dynamics within it. She joins the team and moves to New York after an incident that occurred working with the FBI in Virginia. Those FBI skills often come in handy, but her strong opinions also mean she clashes with team leader, Mac Taylor. Despite their differences, the pair learn to work well together, and Danville becomes an asset to the New York lab.
2 Gary Sinise As Mac Taylor
CSI: NY, CSI, CSI: Miami
Mac Taylor is a large part of what made CSI: NY stand out as more than a simple spin-off. He leads the crime lab team, and his relationship to crime and New York is complicated by the tragic passing of his wife in the 9/11 attacks. Featured in guest spots on both CSI and Miami, Taylor is seen on nine seasons of NY and cuts an impressive figure due to his military training. As a leader, Taylor is efficient and runs a tight ship, but this doesn’t stop the other characters, or the audiences, from loving him.
1 William Petersen As Gil Grissom
CSI, CSI: Vegas
A large part of what makes the CSI franchise the hit it became is Gil Grissom. Starring in the first nine seasons of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and appearing again in season 1 of CSI: Vegas. As the head of the investigation team, Grissom is known for his sharp scientific knowledge, strong leadership skills, and ability to bring his investigations to a close. This makes him synonymous with what the series is all about, the thrilling twists and turns of catching criminals, as well as the complicated lives of the people doing it. Without Grissom there was no crime lab.
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