ted danson, csi

SUMMARY

  • Ted Danson’s DB Russell brought wit and charm to CSI, yet his hope to explore aging and burnout remained an unfulfilled vision.
  • Danson wanted DB’s storyline to dive into personal struggles—resilience, burnout, and age—but CSI kept its spotlight on high-stakes cases.
  • While CSI thrived as a ratings juggernaut, fans are left pondering the "what if" of Danson’s untapped narrative for DB Russell.

Ted Danson brought his signature charm to CSI as DB Russell, a quirky yet brilliant crime scene investigator. While fans adored his unique take on the role, one of his personal hopes for the character never made it to the screen. Danson envisioned adding a touch of heartwarming flair to DB’s story, but the series had other plans. 

Ted DansonTed Danson | Image by Gage Skidmore, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite this missed opportunity, CSI delivered plenty of gripping moments with DB at the helm, cementing Danson’s place in the franchise. 

Ted Danson’s DB Russell: The “what if” that could’ve changed CSI

Ted DansonTed Danson in Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge | Credit: Columbia Pictures

Ted Danson shook things up on CSI when he joined as DB Russell in season 11. Fans were hooked on his David Attenborough-esque charm, but even with all the love for his character, one of Danson’s personal hopes for DB never saw the light of day.

Danson had a vision for his character to explore the realities of aging in a high-stakes job. He wanted DB to wrestle with questions about burnout, resilience, and staying sharp as the years ticked by. But the series kept the focus on flashy cases and team dynamics, leaving this human angle unexplored. 

When asked what his fantasy storyline would’ve been, he shared: 

 I would like my guy to get older. I am myself doing that, you know. I am 65, almost 66. I like the idea of somebody who is bumping up against kind of an age ceiling for this job and to kind of examine what that means, you know.

Has he burned out, has he seen too much, does he still have the get up and go to lead this team? I like examining human stuff like that, so I hope that that becomes part of the show.

Despite this missed opportunity, CSI kept rolling as a ratings juggernaut. Still, fans can’t help but wonder what might’ve been. DB’s untapped journey could’ve added another layer to the already complex world of CSI. 

And while Ted Danson left a lasting mark, his unfulfilled wish remains a “what if” moment in the show’s legacy.

Trilogy: The ultimate CSI crossover that defined a franchise

CBS StudiosA still from CSI Vegas | Credits: CBS Studios

Back in 2009, CSI fans got the crossover of their dreams with Trilogy. For the first—and only—time, characters from CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation joined forces, delivering one epic three-part story. 

This game-changing event began in Miami (“Bone Voyage”), moved to NY (“Hammer Down”), and wrapped up in Las Vegas (“The Lost Girls”).

Laurence Fishburne’s Ray Langston took center stage, chasing a harrowing human trafficking case across three cities. Each stop delivered drama, suspense, and the thrill of seeing fan-favorite characters collide.

It was a peak moment for the 39-season franchise, proving crossovers could be more than gimmicks; they could be unforgettable TV. No wonder fans still call Trilogy the crown jewel of the CSI universe.

CSI is available to watch on Hulu & Apple TV.

Written by Heena Singh

Articles Published: 724

Heena Singh is a writer at FandomWire, spent the last two years making waves in entertainment journalism. With a knack for digging up blockbuster celebrity scoops and an uncanny nose for the latest buzz, Heena’s articles bring a fresh and fun perspective to life. When she’s not conquering writing challenges, you’ll find her curled up in bed, peacefully sleeping.