Thaindian News

By Madhuri Dey
Sep 25, (THAINDIAN NEWS) On Friday night the “CSI: NY” premiered on CBS with a brand new detective. While the fans were disappointed to find their favorite actress Melina Kanakaredes, who played the role of detective Stella Bonasera, missing from the screen, they were at the same time excited to see Emmy Award-winning actress Sela Wards in the show. Sela Ward replaced Melina Kanakaredes in the seventh season of the show that has moved from its Wednesday night slot to the prime time slot of Friday night. Few will disagree to the statement that although Melina Kanakaredes presence was missed, Sela Ward did a good job as Virginia Jo Danville, a former FBI agent who joins Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) in the crime lab.

As per reports, the “CSI: NY” production house was ready to renew its contract for yet another season with Melina Kanakaredes, however, the 43-year-old actress had some problem with the producers and decided to quit from the show. Executive producer Pam Veasay said to media sources that around six scripts were prepared keeping in mind the character played by Melina Kanakaredes. However, as the actress decided to leave the show, a new character was prepared for Sela Ward who agreed to replace Melina Kanakaredes in the show.

Although there is no denying the fact that being in the show from the very first season, Melina Kanakaredes had become one of the favorite characters of the viewers; Sela Ward on her part tried to do her best to hold on to the interest of the viewers. Pam Veasay on her part said to media sources that although it takes time to develop a character, Sela Ward has helped “to bring so much to it in the first episode”.