US TV
The finale of 'CSI' series five
The actress, 39, said she would leave her role as Sara Sidle to pursue other interests.
She explained: "There are all these things I want to do. Some are personal. Some are professional. And I really need to do some of them before I get too old."
Her last appearance in the show will air on CBS next month.
She added: "If I thought the show were on its last legs, I would have tried harder to stay the course.
"But I feel like it's going to be around for a while, so if I don't want some of those dreams to pass me by, I have to get off the ride for a while."
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