The last month or so has seen a lot speculation and vague comments floating around, but today it was made official:

Laurence Fishburne is joining the cast of CSI. He will be filling the void made by the upcoming departure of star William Petersen.

According to the CBS press release, Fishburne will play “a former pathologist who is now working as an itinerant college lecturer, teaching a course in criminalistics. His focus is on understanding criminal behavior, how and why people commit acts of violence – tendencies he disturbingly sees within himself.”

Prior to LF being cast, it was revealed that this character would have some of the same characteristics found in serial killers.

I am stoked about this. Fishburne is a fantastic actor. His portrayal of Walter Mosley’s Socrates Fortlow in HBO’s Always Outnumbered was amazing.

Laurence was nominated for an Oscar for What’s Love Got to Do with It, and picked up an Emmy and Cable Ace award for Miss Evers’ Boys.

Mr. Fishburne will appear in two episodes with the departing Petersen and should first appear in early 09.