As one star returns to CSI, another is leaving the lab. Producer Naren Shankar told TV Guide Magazine that Lauren Lee Smith won’t return as the character of Riley Adams in the fall.

“She’s not going to be back for Season 10,” he said. “It was an issue of how we were feeling the ensemble was working. When we brought in the character of Riley, it got lost in the shuffle a little bit because we had lost Warrick, we had lost Sara, and then in the middle of last season Grissom finally left. I think, as a result, the character never quite found its footing in terms of the rest of the gang.”

As the result of Riley’s exit, a slot will be open for Sara Sidle (Fox), who is now ready to return to work after her burnout in season eight.

“She shows up because the team is understaffed,” said Shankar. “The undersheriff reaches out for a recommendation and Sara says, ‘I think that person might be me.’”

Sidle will appear on at least five episodes, and Shankar assures fans that the character wll be featured prominently during this time.

We already know that Jorja Fox will appear on the new season of CSI. What show spoilers could possibly top that news?

According to executive producer Carol Mendelsohn, who spoke to Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello, CSI will be bringing back members of the dangerous Millander clan in episode two.

“The last time we saw [serial killer] Paul Millander was in season 2 when Grissom had dinner at [his alter ego] Judge Mason’s house, because, if you remember Paul lived a double life as a judge,” she said. “And we met Mrs. Mason and their young son, Craig. Well, Paul’s dead, but Mrs. Mason and Craig live on. And we will see them in episode 2.”

As for upcoming CSI storylines:

• Viewers will receive an explanation for the ring Langston has on his finger;
  
• There will be a new, season-long serial killer arc.
  

Jorja Fox left CSI at the end of 2007-08 season. But fans of this wildly-popular drama can look forward to the reemergence of Sara Sidle this fall. Multiple sources confirm that Fox will appear in the Season 10 premiere, along with a few additional episodes.

“We’re thrilled for Jorja’s return,” CSI executive producer Carol Mendelsohn told The Associated Press, adding that viewers will “discover where life has taken Sara Sidle and what brings her back to the CSI team in Las Vegas.”

CSI returns to the air on September 24.

Season 10 of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” will see Jorja Fox returning as Sara Sidle in multiple episodes. After making a final regular appearance in 2007, the 41-year-old is set to reappear playing her Las Vegas forensic scientist character in the September 24 episode of the CBS crime drama, the television network confirmed Friday, July 17.

“We’re thrilled for Jorja’s return to CSI,” executive producer Carol Mendelsohn shared the good news. She then added, “The viewers and longtime CSI fans will be excited to discover where life has taken Sara Sidle and what brings her back to the CSI team in Las Vegas in our premiere episode.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jorja will be reprising her role in five episodes of the latest season.

Joining the popular series since the very beginning, Jorja Fox left during the eighth season. At the time, her character suffered from job burnout and thus decided to leave the crime lab to deal with past demons. She made a cameo in William Petersen’s final episode back in January as the series shows their characters Sara Sidle and Gil Grissom reunited in Costa Rica.

CBS executives and “CSI” producers are reported seeking to make significant creative changes on the show next season after there was a drop in ratings following Petersen’s departure. There is yet word on immediate plans for Petersen despite Jorja’s return to the series.