George Eads takes leave of absence from 'CSI' after fight with writer

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Longtime "CSI" cast member George Eads is taking a leave of absence from the show after arguing with a pregnant writer, The Hollywood Reporter said.

"George Eads will not appear in several episodes during the first half of the season. We look forward to him returning to 'CSI' very soon," a CBS Television Studios representative said in a statement to the entertainment industry trade newspaper.

The actor has played Nick Stokes since the series premiered in 2000.

His break from the show came after he engaged in a heated argument with an 8-months-pregnant co-writer of a recent episode. His complaint concerned the creative direction his character was taking, The Hollywood Reporter said.

Season 14 of "CSI" is to kick off Sept. 25.