"CSI:NY" star Melina Kanakaredes will not return to the show next season.

It sounds like it was her decision -- her contract was up and she wanted to move on. LiveFeed.com reports that actress Sela Ward ("Once & Again," "Sisters") is being considered as her replacement.

Entertainment Weekly notes that Kanakaredes was asked to take a pay cut if she stayed with the show.

In other CSI franchise news this summer, Raleigh actress Liz Vassey was cut from the original "CSI"  and Eddie Cibrian was let go from "CSI: Miami."