The sophomore season of CSI: New York will see the departure of one of its original characters, according to series creator Anthony Zuiker.

"In the first two episodes, we'll lose one of our (six) main cast members," Zuiker said from the TCS Summer Press Tour party. "It will be very exciting." Though Zuiker did not reveal who or how, it's been reported that the character will die. That leaves fans speculating who will bite the dust.

Gary Sinise (Mac Taylor) recently announced 5 more years remain in his contract, and co-star Melina Kanakaredes (Stella Bonasera) seems like an unlikely target. Actor Hill Harper (Dr. Sheldon Hawkes) will see his character transition from the morgue to the field this season, and Carmine Giovinazzo's Danny Messer is currently involved in a gang related storyline that promises to come to light again during season two. That leaves Eddie Cahill (Det. Don Flack) and Vanessa Ferlito (Aiden Burn), whose characters received fewer storylines throughout season one.

This is not the first time the CSI franchise has bid farewell to an actor. CSI: Miami last year lost Rory Cochrane, whose Timothy Speedle was shot in the line of duty, because the actor did not want to continue working on the series. This year, Miami will lose Sofia Milos (Yelina Salas), as the producers admitted her storyline had run its course.

But CSI: New York will not see a hole in the wake of the mysterious departure, as a new character will join the cast this season. Summer Hamilton, a CSI from the Boise division in Idaho, will join Mac's team on the season premiere, "Summer in the City." It is not yet known who will portray Hamilton.

Visit Buffalo News or Inside Bay Area to read the original reports.

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