Adrian Monk is coming back for one last case and he’s bringing a lot of friends with him. Who exactly will return?
Peacock has ordered Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie, which will be a grand conclusion to the long-running and popular USA Network series.
Debuting in 2002, the series focused on Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub), once a detective for the San Francisco police department who lost his way after his wife was murdered. This led him to develop a severe obsessive-compulsive disorder which also allowed him to see details in murder cases. He thus became a consultant for the police while handling his issues.
The series was a huge hit, running eight seasons and 125 episodes while ushering in the “Blue Sky” era of USA Network shows. Shalhoub was nominated for eight Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy series and won three.
The show’s 2009 finale was one of the most-watched in cable TV history. Several cast members reunited for a 2020 online special showing how Monk was coping during the pandemic.
What will the Monk reunion movie be about?
The new film will show Monk coming out of retirement to aid in a case involving his stepdaughter Molly preparing for a wedding.
“When creator Andy Breckman came to us with a new Monk case set in present day, we immediately fell in love with this story all over again,” said Michael Sluchan, EVP, Movies, Kids, Daytime, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “The movie has the heart and humor of the original series with a contemporary relevance, and we’re overjoyed to work with the original creative team, including Andy, David Hoberman, Randy Zisk, the unparalleled Tony Shalhoub, and our partners at UCP, for what is sure to be a must-see movie event for Peacock audiences.”
Thankfully for fans, Monk won’t be going into this adventure alone.
What other Monkstars are returning for the movie?
Obviously, Shalhoub will be returning as Monk with the indication that the pandemic did a number on the man with scores of issues. Also returning is Traylor Howard as Natalie Teeger, the single mom who became Monk’s assistant and caregiver in the third season.
Ted Levine will reprise his role as Captain Leland Stottlemeyer, the cop handling Monk’s cases. Now retired, he’ll be pulled back into the case. Jason Gray-Stanford joins as Randy Disher, the well-meaning but slightly scatterbrained younger detective. He was shown in the 2020 reunion special as now chief of police in a small New Jersey town.
Finally joining on is Hector Elizondo as Dr. Neven Bell, Monk’s long-suffering psychiatrist and Melora Hardin will somehow make an appearance as Monk’s late wife, Trudy.
There’s no word on whether Bitty Schram will appear as Monk’s original assistant, Sharona, although the possibility of a couple of other characters making appearances. This should be a fun wrap-up for the series to send Mr. Monk off on a great note.