Oscar-nominated actor Laurence Fishburne is to join the cast of hit US television series 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation', television network CBS said on Monday.

Fishburne (47), whose film credits include 'The Matrix', 'Mission Impossible III' and 'Apocalypse Now', is joining the franchise as star William Peterson prepares to leave the series.

Executive producers Carol Mendelsohn and Naren Shankar said in a statement Fishburne had been at the top of their wishlist when CBS sought their opinion for actors to join the series.

"He is a powerful and intense actor, with an incredible range," they said. "For all of us at 'CSI', this is truly a dream."

Fishburne will play a former pathologist turned college lecturer who teaches a course in criminology before eventually joining the Las Vegas Crime Lab featured in the show.

'CSI' has proved to be one of the most successful crime shows on US television since its launch in 2000, and has led to two spin-offs, 'CSI: Miami' and 'CSI: New York'.

AFP