Marg Helgenberger turns in her "CSI" badge

(CBS) Marg Helgenberger's final night on "CSI" has arrived.

The actress will depart the series after 12 seasons when her final episode airs Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.

Pictures: Marg Helgenberger gets a star on the Walk of Fame

Helgenberger, 53, has played investigator Catherine Willows since "CSI" debuted in 2000. She wrapped her final episode in December.

In an interview with The Associated Press earlier this month, the actress said she's looking forward to time off, hiking with her dog and even looking for work. She also said she'd love to do Broadway.

Helgenberger's final episode, which is titled "Willows on the Wind," airs two days after she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Co-stars and friends in attendance included Dana Delaney, Ted Danson, Jorja Fox and producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

Her departure is the latest in a series of cast changes for "CSI." Danson came on at the beginning of this season, after Laurence Fishburne left the show. Elisabeth Shue will join the cast next month as Julie Finlay, a new recruit fresh from an anger management course.

But this might not be goodbye forever - Helgenberger said she'd be willing to return to the show in the future, for a special episode or two.

"Oh, absolutely, in fact that was one of the reasons why it was a little easier for me to leave the show because the producers said to me practically every day the door is wide open. ...If I'm available and I'm up for it you betcha," she told the AP.

Tell us: Will you miss Helgenberger on "CSI"?