TV Bulletin Board (Tues., July 13) -- cop swap for CSI: NY
07/13/10 12:44
By ED BARK
Veteran TV thespian Sela Ward (Sisters, Once and Again) is joining CBS' CSI: NY in place of Melina Kanakaredes, the network announced Tuesday.
Kanakarades, who co-starred with Gary Sinise for the first six seasons of the series, reportedly left over a salary dispute. Her character, detective Stella Bonasera, will be written out immediately, with Ward in place for this fall's season premiere on a new night and time (8 p.m. central on Fridays).
CBS says Ward will play "an experienced investigator from Washington, D.C. whose work is driven by her empathy for the victim."
***ABC has renewed its summertime police series, Rookie Blue, for a second season after solid ratings for its first three episodes.
"We're very pleased that the show has connected with viewers, especially considering the challenge of finding an audience in the summer," ABC programming executive Quinn Taylor said in a publicity release.
Rookie Blue, which received mixed reviews from critics and a grade of D from this one, airs on Thursday nights at 8 p.m. central. The series is filmed entirely in Toronto.