ABC Replaces CSI With New Crime Procedural The Naturalist
The CSI franchise has officially run its course on CBS, but ABC is stepping up to fill the void. The network is developing The Naturalist, a new crime procedural from two CSI veterans, that aims to capture the essence of one of television's most iconic franchises.
What Happened to the CSI Franchise on CBS?
The original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation premiered on CBS in 2000 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The show spawned multiple spinoffs over the years, expanding the franchise into a television institution that shaped the procedural genre for more than two decades.
CSI: Miami was the first spinoff, launching in 2002 with David Caruso leading the cast as Horatio Caine. The series ran for 10 seasons before concluding in 2012.
CSI: New York followed in 2004, anchored by Gary Sinise as Detective Mac Taylor. Many fans consider the New York installment the most popular in the franchise. It ran for nine seasons, ending in 2013, just two years before the original series concluded in 2015.
CBS attempted to keep the franchise alive with CSI: Cyber in 2015, shifting the focus to digital crimes in Washington, D.C. Ted Danson reprised his role as D.B. Russell from the original series for Season 2, but the show was canceled after just two seasons in 2016.
The most recent attempt came with CSI: Vegas, a revival series that launched in 2021. The show brought back original stars William Petersen as Gil Grissom and Jorja Fox as Sara Sidle. Despite the nostalgia factor, CBS canceled the revival in 2024, citing low viewership, budget cuts, and a crowded programming slate.
How ABC Is Replacing CSI With The Naturalist
ABC is positioning The Naturalist as its answer to the CSI-sized gap in network television. The new series comes from two CSI creators who understand the formula that made the franchise successful.
Andrew Karlsruher, who wrote for CSI: Cyber, will serve as the writer for The Naturalist. Danny Cannon, who directed the original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation pilot, will executive produce the project.
Peter Jaysen and Alan Gasmer of Veritas Entertainment are also on board as executive producers alongside Cannon. Veritas Entertainment is coming off a major win with the 2024 Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, which starred Timothée Chalamet.
What Is The Naturalist About?
The Naturalist is an adaptation of Andrew Mayne's book series of the same name. The show follows a brilliant but socially estranged biologist who uses the laws of animal behavior to hunt human predators, according to Variety.
The protagonist reportedly carries dark secrets of his own, turning every case into what amounts to a study of himself. With a troubled past and unusual investigative instincts, the character also channels elements of CBS's hit series Tracker.
For fans of the CSI franchise who have been searching for a replacement, The Naturalist could offer the closest experience. The series shares DNA with CSI through its creative team and appears positioned to deliver the kind of crime-solving drama that defined the franchise.
When Will The Naturalist Air on ABC?
ABC has not yet announced a release date for The Naturalist. The series is still in the earliest stages of production.
In the meantime, ABC's fall lineup will feature returning favorites including Scrubs, Abbott Elementary, 9-1-1, and Grey's Anatomy, along with a new comedy called R.J. Decker. The network is saving some of its strongest procedurals for later in the schedule, including the hit series High Potential.
Why Are Viewers Looking for CSI Replacements?
The CSI franchise dominated network television for more than two decades, and its absence has left a noticeable gap in the procedural landscape. While shows like NCIS and FBI continue to perform well, the specific forensic science focus that defined CSI remains unmatched on current television.
Network television has shifted toward different formats in recent years, but procedural dramas remain a reliable draw for viewers who want straightforward crime stories without the complexity of streaming-only series.
Will The Naturalist Succeed Where CSI Revivals Failed?
The success of The Naturalist will depend on whether it can capture the investigative appeal of CSI while offering something fresh. The involvement of CSI veterans gives the project credibility, and the source material from Andrew Mayne's novels provides a proven foundation.
However, the television landscape has changed significantly since CSI's peak. Network viewership has declined across the board, and even the CSI: Vegas revival struggled to maintain an audience despite bringing back original cast members.
ABC is betting that the right combination of familiar creative talent and a new concept can attract viewers who still want traditional procedural drama on network television.