CBS has announced award winning actor Elisabeth Shue will join the cast of CSI as a regular, with her first episode to air in February.

Shue will replace Marg Helgenberger’s popular (and long-lasting) female lead Catherine Willows.

Here’s straight off the press release:

“Shue will play the newest CSI, fresh off an anger management course, amid rumors that D.B. Russell (Ted Danson) fired her when she worked for him in Seattle.”

“While it’s difficult to say goodbye to a beloved character like Catherine Willows, it’s exciting to start a journey with a new CSI, especially when that character is played by Elisabeth Shue,” said executive producer Carol Mendelsohn. “The new CSI also struggles with ‘brutal honesty issues’ and suffers no fools.”

Elisabeth Shue missed out on an Oscar for “Leaving Las Vegas”, and also starred in “Karate Kid” – waaaaay back in the day! Her upcoming projects include “House at the End of the Street” with “Hunger Games” star Jennifer Lawrence, and “Of Men and Mavericks” alongside Gerard Butler.

What do you think? Is Shue a good fit to help revamp the series alongside Ted Danson as the new male lead?