After lengthy negotiations, "CSI" star William Petersen has inked a deal to return for the drama's ninth season.

Under a one-year pact with "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" producer CBS Paramount Network TV, Petersen will appear in a reduced number of episodes for a salary said to be in the neighborhood of $600,000 an episode. In addition to starring, Petersen also serves as an exec producer on the show.

Petersen had requested a reduced workload to accommodate his work in the play "Dublin Carol." He took a break to appear in the production of the Christmas-themed play in Providence, R.I., last season when Liev Schreiber subbed for him on "CSI."

This time, Petersen will be putting "Carol" up in his hometown of Chicago. It will run at the Upstairs Theatre from Nov. 13-Dec. 21.

Despite the fact that "CSI" is a procedural in which characters take a back seat, Petersen always has been identified with the series. He was the first one cast in the project, picking Anthony Zuiker's script among dozens as his starring vehicle under his deal with CBS. "CSI" recently lost original cast member Jorja Fox, who exited in November.

Petersen is repped by UTA and manager/producing partner Cynthia Chvatal.