The CSI: Miami Character Everyone Forgets Chris Pine Played
The CBS drama "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" is easily one of the most successful police procedurals to ever grace the small screen. During its original run between 2000 and 2015, the show attracted a loyal viewership, earned strong reviews (per Rotten Tomatoes), and even won a few Emmys. That success paved the way for a franchise made up of successful novelizations, video games, and spinoffs, too, including "CSI: Miami," all of which became major draws in their own right.
As the BBC notes, "CSI: Miami" was the most popular TV series on the planet at one time. As such, it provided a huge platform for actors to get global recognition and pivot towards a career in tentpole Hollywood blockbusters. One such actor was Chris Pine, who had a cup of coffee in "CSI: Miami" long before he became known for blockbusters including "Star Trek, "Wonder Woman," and "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse."
Chris Pine gave a killer performance in CSI: Miami
Now that he's become primarily known for playing heroes in popular blockbusters, it's easy to overlook the fact that Chris Pine is a versatile actor who has a strong knack for delivering terrific performances as a villain, sometimes in lowkey fare. Look no further than his outing as the menacing Darwin Tremor in "Smokin' Aces" for the perfect example. However, his "CSI: Miami" performance is a standout from his early-day career work.
Pine appears in the Season 2 episode titled "Extreme" (via IMDb), which revolves around the investigation of a murdered adrenaline addict who sought thrills in the form of a staged kidnapping game. The episode sees Pine play her boyfriend, Tommy Chandler, who turns out to be the killer all along. Like his significant other, Tommy is also a thrill-seeker — but his pursuit for the ultimate buzz takes some pretty twisted turns.
If a compelling murder mystery isn't enough to sway you towards this episode of "CSI: Miami," perhaps seeing Pine with a moppy haircut and a lip ring will be enough to entice you. It's the ultimate fashion statement of its era.