George Eads: Original ‘CSI’ Cast Member Leaving Show In Season 15 Finale

Farewell, Nick Stokes -- you will be missed! The 15th season finale of 'CSI' will be the last episode for actor George Eads, after it was announced he was leaving the show in November. The finale will pay homage to his character we've grown to love. CSI's season 15 two-hour finale will be a hard one to watch for many, as fans say their goodbyes to original cast member, George Eads. But hold off on the waterworks -- George's character Nick Stokes will get a proper goodbye! CSI executive producer Don McGill promises that George will get an "emotional" and "touching" farewell on the Feb. 15 finale. (NOTE: May contain spoilers!)

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George Eads Leaving 'CSI'
Image Credit: Courtesy of CBS

George Eads Leaving ‘CSI’ In Season 15 Finale — Show Says Goodbye To Nick Stokes

While there’s so much to wrap up in just two hours, including the “season arc” of the Harbor Killer, the storyline of our favorite forensic investigator, Nick Stokes, will also come to a close.

“[We’re] serving two masters,” Don tells TVGuide.com. “On the one hand we needed to wrap up the season arc and have an exciting conclusion, and at the same time really pay tribute to the Nick character and give George Eads and Nick Stokes a star exit in the series. I hope the fans will be happy with the result.”

Nick is offered a chance to run his own CSI lab in San Diego, and he struggles with what decision to make throughout the episode, according to the site. He will turn to his colleagues for advice, which ultimately lead to his great character arc.

“The evolution of Nick Stokes from the pilot to now has been a pretty rich character arc, which took him from a young CSI who was being mentored by Grissom [William Petersen] to the guy who inherited the mantle of Grissom,” Don continues. “So, it made sense to consider an idea where Nick would go on to ‘become’ Grissom at another lab.”

Whatever does end up happening, we can count on one thing, which is that the episode will pay homage to George’s departure.

“We always intended to give Nick an emotional and touching farewell, and one that also would leave the door open for Nick to come back,” Don says. “San Diego’s not too far from Vegas, so who knows?”

According to PeopleGeorge’s decision to leave was a peaceful one. It has not yet been announced whether CSI will be picked up for a 16th season.

What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Are you sad George is leaving CSI? How would you like to see George depart the show? Comment with your thoughts below!

— Julianne Ishler