Actress Kim Delaney leaving new CBS hit show `CSI: Miami' after 10 episodes

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Actress Kim Delaney is out of the new hit crime series ``CSI: Miami'' after just 10 episodes, CBS said. <br><br>The decision was a joint one involving the network and producers

Friday, November 8th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Actress Kim Delaney is out of the new hit crime series ``CSI: Miami'' after just 10 episodes, CBS said.

The decision was a joint one involving the network and producers ``upon recognizing that the character of Megan Donner was becoming less integral to the series,'' CBS said Thursday.

A call to Delaney's publicist was not immediately returned.

Delaney, 40, who played a DNA specialist in the ``CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'' spinoff, has filmed her last episode. It will air Nov. 25, and her character's departure will be explained, CBS said.

No additional changes are planned for the show, which stars David Caruso and is the top-ranked new fall series. The original ``CSI'' is the No. 1 series overall.

Delaney, who won a best-supporting actress Emmy for her portrayal of police Detective Diane Russell on ABC's ``NYPD Blue,'' was belatedly added to the ``CSI'' cast as production began in July, and after her ABC legal drama ``Philly'' was not renewed for a second season. Sela Ward (``Once and Again'') had turned down the role.