Daily Variety reports that Sinise will star in "CSI: New York," which follows in the footsteps of the hit dramas "CSI" (starring William L. Petersen) and "CSI: Miami" (starring David Caruso). Sinise will portray Detective Rick Calucci, who lost his wife during the terror attacks on September 11. Sinise will make a guest appearance as Detective Calucci on "CSI: Miami" this May, which will serve as the pilot for the new series. CBS Chairman-CEO Les Moonves told Daily Variety, "To get an actor like Gary Sinise [to star] really gives the show its own distinct identity. This just adds to the overall quality." Series creator Anthony Zuiker added, "He has a soulfulness about him and really represents the pulse of New York. [This series is] going to be more character-driven. We'll attempt to open up the characters more right from the start." Music from the sixties and seventies will be an important element to the show, and the new crime series may also venture outside of New York for some of its episodes.

A founding member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Gary Sinise has appeared on Broadway in The Caretaker, The Grapes of Wrath, Buried Child and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. He received acting Tony nominations for his work in Wrath and Cuckoo's Nest as well as a Best Director of a Play Tony nomination for Buried Child. Sinise won an Emmy Award for "George Wallace" and a Golden Globe for "Truman." He also received an Academy Award nomination for his performance in "Forrest Gump." The actor's other screen credits include "The Green Mile," "Ransom" and "Apollo 13."