CSI Star Officially Returns With New Role In Blue Bloods Spinoff

Published Oct 27, 2026, 11:15 AM EDT

Jeff Dodge (he/him), a published author and graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena. Fun Fact: he’s been to every single Idol Live! Tour.

One of the original stars of the hit crime drama CSI is making a return to CBS in the Blue Bloods spinoff Boston Blue, and first-look images from the episode have just been released.

CSI debuted in 2000 and centered on crime scene investigators in Las Vegas. The series proved to be so popular that CBS aired several CSI spinoffs, including Miami, NY and Cyber. Then in 2021, CSI: Vegas served as a revival of the original series and brought back fan-favorite characters Gil Grissom, Sara Sidle, Catherine Willows and others.

It's been over two years since CSI: Vegas ended its three-season run, but Marg Helgenberger is coming back to CBS, this time in the November 13 episode of Boston Blue.

CBS shared some images from the episode, giving fans a first look at Helgenberger playing Sarah Silver's biological mother, Gwen Silver, as she smiles and holds up a glass of water.

The second photo shows Danny Reagan on the ground investigating something just outside the camera frame, while Lena Silver takes a phone call.

Check out the images below:

In Boston Blue season 2, episode 6, "Bloodlines," Sarah deals with a challenging situation, which is made worse when her estranged mother shows up. Meanwhile, the police department finds a baby inside a food delivery robot, Jonah and Sean try to locate a missing officer, and Danny experiences anger issues.

Boston Blue stars Donnie Wahlberg, Sonequa Martin-Green, Ernie Hudson, Maggie Lawson, Gloria Reuben, Marcus Scribner and Mika Amonsen, with Wahlberg reprising his Blue Bloods character. Danny Reagan was a detective on the long-running police drama and one member of a law enforcement family alongside Erin, Jamie, Henry and Frank Reagan. Blue Bloods aired for 14 seasons from 2010 to 2024.

After CBS canceled Blue Bloods, it didn't take long for the network to revisit that world by ordering a spinoff. Boston Blue premiered less than a year later, with Danny moving from New York to Boston, where his son, Sean, works.

Wahlberg isn't the only Blue Bloods actor who's appeared on Boston Blue. Bridget Moynahan, Len Cariou and Will Hochman have all made appearances, with Will Estes stopping by in the November 6 episode, one week before Helgenberger begins her recurring role as Gwen.

After the original CSI went off the air, Helgenberger starred in other shows like Intelligence, Under the Dome and All Rise, as well as the film A Dog's Journey. Now she's returning to CBS in her first TV stint since CSI: Vegas' final episode aired in 2024.

Boston Blue airs Fridays at 10 p.m. EDT on CBS.

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  Donnie Wahlberg

  Danny Reagan

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  Sonequa Martin-Green

  Lena Silver

Boston Blue follows NYPD officer Danny Reagan as he transitions to a role in the Boston Police Department. Partnered with detective Lena Peters, the eldest daughter of a notable law enforcement family, the series explores their collaboration within the dynamics of Boston's criminal landscape.