Why did Gary Dourdan leave CSI?

CSI fans were certainly shocked when Gary Dourdan’s Warrick Brown was unceremoniously and shockingly killed off in the Season 9 premiere. This was despite the storyline from Season 8. We were sure that Grissom and co. would help get Warrick out of trouble.

In the eighth season, Warrick was framed for two murders. Despite being acquitted, there were questions about his future with the team and just in general. None of those questions were answered though, as in the final moments of the finale, Warrick was shot by the LVPD mole.

The Season 9 premiere opened with Grissom racing to Warrick. We’d hoped that someone would get to him soon enough to save him. Instead, Grissom was there to make sure Warrick didn’t die alone, but there is a chance that Grissom was there to save him in an original plan.

Why Gary Dourdan left CSI after eight seasons

Dourdan’s exit was more of a contract one than anything else. The initial plan was not to kill off the beloved character. During the summer break between seasons, the decision was made and the show announced Dourdan’s departure.

Dourdan didn’t comment on this, which made it look like it was a creative choice. Instead, it came down to contracts. Dourdan’s contract was up for renewal, and that meant negotiations. Neither side could come to an agreement, and Dourdan’s contract expired.

Did Gary Dourdan’s arrest play a part?

Shortly after Warrick Brown was killed off, fans looked at Dourdan’s personal life. He was arrested for drug possession in 2008, and some fans questioned whether that was part of the reason he was fired from the series.

That wasn’t the case, though. Dourdan’s departure had been announced before the arrest.

The show was never the same without Warrick in it. While the storyline was able to pick up, and Warrick’s death was a powerful moment for every character, the show lost some of its humor. Warrick and Nick’s friendship was everything throughout the series, and there wasn’t anything like that afterward.

With the exit, it was clear that Warrick couldn't return in the CSI: Vegas revival.