New CSI: Crime Scene Investigation recruit Louise Lombard (Sophia Curtis) makes no bones about the fact that her character isn't like the other CSIs.

"She's not a scientist by instinct," Lombard told Mark Nollinger in the December 26 issue of TV Guide. "She's a cop. Her interest is justice." Executive producer Carol Mendelsohn said Lombard is a good fit for the series: "She's a great actress. She's so smart and sophisticated, but she's also one of the guys."

Sophia Curtis has thrown the spanner in the works at CSI: Crime Scene Investigation this season, causing plenty of people to turn their heads, including the normally unflappable Gil Grissom. Ever since her draw-dropping change of clothes in "Formalities", there has been a certain tension between the two CSIs, who now work side by side on the graveyard shift. "They're feeling each other out in terms of respect. Or lack thereof," said actor William Petersen (Gil Grissom).

Unlike many other CSI actors, Lombard said she didn't visit a morgue to prepare for working on the series, even though one of the show's producers advised her to do so. "I turned to her and said, 'That's where the acting comes in'. There's no way I'm going to see a corpse just in the name of research. I'm dedicated, but not THAT dedicated."

Her character has appeared in three episodes of season five so far, with further guest stints in upcoming episodes, but Lombard will be taking maternity leave in early 2005 to have her first child. "It's getting more difficult" to hide the pregnancy on screen, the actress said. But there's always a chance Sophia Curtis will return in season six. "I may come back next year. There's nothing certain."

The complete interview can be found in the December 26 issue of TV Guide. Thanks to Al Fornos for this!

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