Marg Helgenberger on why she's leaving "CSI"

Marg Helgenberger has been collecting fingerprints and other evidence on "CSI" since the hit CBS series began back in 2000. But next week her character, crime scene investigator Catherine Willows, is turning in her badge.

Why is Helgenberger leaving the highly successful franchise?

On "CBS This Morning," the actress said, "I felt the need to kind of step back, because I had been playing this character for 11 and a half years, to reassess and regroup and I'm -- as scary as that is -- I'm also very excited about the great wide open, the future and all the possibilities."

For more on her decision to end the role and what's she's looking to do next, check out the video in the player above.

• Marg Helgenberger says goodbye to "CSI"
• Pictures: Magnificent Marg Helgenberger