George Eads takes leave from 'CSI' after fight with pregnant writer

Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS

George Eads isn't exactly a big hit with his female colleagues, at the moment.

The actor, who plays Nick Stokes on CSI, is taking a leave of absence from the CBS drama, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Eads, who is an original member of the show, apparently got into a heated exchange with an eight-months-pregnant co-writer on the series over the direction of his character. Eads didn't agree with a planned storyline for his character on the upcoming 14th season of the CBS drama. The argument reportedly got back to Executive Producer Carol Mendelsohn, who then had it out with Eads herself.

The confrontation quickly escalated, with Eads threatening to quit. Later, CBS Studios eventually issued a statement, declaring, “George Eads will not appear in several episodes during the first half of the season. We look forward to him returning to CSI very soon.”

However, no return date was announced for the actor.

The show will reportedly deal with Eads’ absence in the fourth episode of the new season, which will see Marg Helgenberger reprising her role as Catherine Willows for the show's 300th episode. This isn't the first brush-up for Eads, as he and his co-star Jorja Fox were briefly fired in 2004 after a salary dispute with CBS and the production company.

CSI returns for its 14th season on Sept. 25.