EXCLUSIVE: CBS‘ newly picked up drama series Einstein will be looking for a new female lead. Rosa Salazar, who starred opposite Matthew Gray Gubler in the pilot, will not be continuing on the series, Deadline has learned.
According to sources, the actress approached the network and CBS Studios, which produces Einstein, after CBS’ decision on Tuesday to delay the series until the 2026-27 season with a request not to pick up her option. (Einstein had been originally picked up to series for 2025-26 last week.) Salazar’s request has been granted, with the two sides partying ways by mutual agreement.
The release frees up Salazar to take on new series jobs instead of waiting an extra year for Einstein to get on the air amid delayed production dates. (Following the Tuesday news, the writing staff hiring process on Einstein has already been paused, sources said.)
It is still unclear why CBS changed course on Einstein; whether scheduling, financial or other factors played a role in the decision to hold it. With the delay, the series is expected to be given a longer production runway and a promo campaign that could kickoff during March Madness 2026, something CBS has previously done with shows like Tracker and Sheriff Country.
A drama with comedic undertones based on the German series of the same name, Einstein comes from the Monk team of creator/executive producer Andy Breckman and director/executive producer Randy Zisk.
In it, brilliant but directionless, the great grandson of Albert Einstein (Gubler) spends his days as a comfortably tenured professor until his bad-boy antics land him in trouble with the law and he is pressed into service helping a local police detective — the role that is now vacant after Salazar’s departure — solve her most puzzling cases.
There were only two series regular roles in the pilot, which is not unique for crime procedurals. It is a model also employed by CBS’ Elsbeth, which has three.
Breckman, who wrote the Einstein pilot, and Zisk, who directed it, executive produce alongside Intrigue’s Tariq Jalil; and Rose Hughes, Rodrigo Herrera Ibarguengoytia and Laura Beetz for Seven One Studios International. Gubler is a producer. CBS Studios is the studio.
Salazar headlined and co-produced the Netflix horror drama Brand New Cherry Flavor. In features, she played the title character in Alita: Battle Angel.
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