It’s been over a decade since the lights went out at the 1PP crime lab, but honestly, the cast from CSI New York still feels like family to anyone who spent their Wednesday nights watching Mac Taylor obsess over a stray fiber. The show was always the grittier, blue-collar cousin of the franchise. It didn't have the neon flash of Miami or the desert gloom of Vegas; it had steam rising from manholes and the weight of 9/11 hanging in the background.
Life has moved on. For the actors, 2026 looks a lot different than those days spent under the fluorescent lights of a soundstage in Culver City (which we all pretended was Manhattan). Some have traded the badge for a director’s chair, while others are literally running for political office.
Gary Sinise and the Legacy of Mac Taylor
Gary Sinise wasn't just the lead; he was the soul of the show. You’ve probably noticed he isn't on your TV screen as much lately. There’s a heartbreaking and deeply personal reason for that.
In early 2024, Gary shared the news that his son, McCanna "Mac" Sinise, passed away at 33 after a long battle with Chordoma, a rare cancer. Since then, Gary has basically stepped back from major acting roles to focus on his family and the Gary Sinise Foundation.
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He’s doing incredible work. We're talking about building nearly 100 "smart homes" for severely wounded veterans and serving millions of meals. He still plays with the Lt. Dan Band, using his fame from Forrest Gump and CSI: NY to raise money for gold star families. If you’re looking for him in 2026, don’t look at a call sheet—look at his foundation’s latest project. He’s living out the integrity Mac Taylor always preached.
The Stella vs. Jo Debate
When Melina Kanakaredes left the show after Season 6, it felt like a gut punch. Stella Bonasera was the fire to Mac’s ice. Why did she leave? The rumors usually point to contract disputes and pay equity issues—basically, she knew her worth and the network wasn't meeting it.
Enter Sela Ward as Jo Danville.
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It was a tough transition. Fans were skeptical. But Sela brought this "empathetic profiler" vibe that changed the show’s DNA. Today, Sela Ward is mostly enjoying the quiet life. She’s popped up in things like FBI and Westworld, but she’s very selective. She’s often vocal about the lack of "meaty" roles for women over a certain age in Hollywood, which is why she spends a lot of time on her advocacy work with Hope Village for Children.
Where the Lab Rats Ran Off To
Hill Harper, who played the brilliant (and sometimes cocky) Sheldon Hawkes, has had the wildest post-show career. He went from The Good Doctor to the United States Senate race. Seriously. He’s been running for a seat in Michigan, leaning heavily on his Harvard Law background and his work on President Obama’s Cancer Panel. He’s not just an actor; he’s a businessman with coffee shops in Detroit and a hotel in New Orleans.
Then you’ve got the Messers.
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- Carmine Giovinazzo (Danny Messer): He’s still the quintessential New Yorker. Carmine is a polymath—he paints, he writes music with his band Ceesau, and he still acts in gritty indies. Most recently, he appeared in The Offer and has a new film titled The Pitt coming out.
- Anna Belknap (Lindsay Monroe): Anna is living the dream in Los Angeles. She’s done the "procedural rounds" with guest spots on Chicago Med and Law & Order: SVU. She stays pretty low-key, focusing on theater and her family.
Don Flack and the Rest of the Crew
Eddie Cahill will always be Tag from Friends to some, but to us, he’s Detective Don Flack. He’s aged like fine wine and has stayed busy with shows like Conviction and a great arc on NCIS: New Orleans.
And we can’t forget the lab's oddballs:
- A.J. Buckley (Adam Ross): He hit the jackpot with SEAL Team. He’s spent years playing Sonny Quinn, which is about as far from a nerdy lab tech as you can get.
- Robert Joy (Sid Hammerback): The man who made autopsies quirky. Robert is a theater legend and continues to work on stage and in character roles across film and TV.
Why We’re Still Obsessed with the Cast from CSI New York
The show ended in 2013, but its DNA is everywhere. You see it in the way modern procedurals handle "found family." The cast from CSI New York had a chemistry that felt unforced. They weren't just colleagues; they were people who survived the city together.
If you're missing the vibe, the best way to keep up is following their real-world impact. Whether it's Hill Harper’s political aspirations or Gary Sinise’s tireless work for veterans, this cast proved they were heroes long after the cameras stopped rolling.
Next Steps for Fans: If you want to support the real-world legacy of the show, check out the Gary Sinise Foundation website to see how they're helping veterans today. You can also find the full series streaming on Hulu or Paramount+ if you need a fix of Mac Taylor’s signature "I found a microscopic skin cell" stare.