While you are awaiting the return of Tony Shalhoub as our favorite “defective detective” Adrian Monk in the Peacock reunion movie, you may want to brush up on the original series. It is the perfect time to reacquaint yourself with Adrian and his fascinating cases (and phobias.) Just skip drinking a glass of milk while watching.
The show, which ran for eight seasons on USA, debuted in 2002. Monk’s wife, Trudy, was murdered via a car bomb. After that, his obsessive-compulsive disorder took over his life. He was forced to leave his job as a homicide detective at the San Francisco Police Department. Not only was he amazing at solving his cases, but Adrian loved his job.
He continued to figure out the most baffling cases for the department, with the help of his assistant Sharona Fleming. Captain Leland Stottlemeyer, Adrian’s former boss, grudgingly accepted his help. In later seasons, the two bonded.
But when Sharona decided to return to New Jersey, Monk needed to find a new assistant. Thankfully, the quirky detective stumbled across Natalie Teeger. He hired the single mother, and she became his new assistant and biggest cheerleader. As Adrian solved case after case, viewers followed the clues and tried to guess the culprit.
Who starred in the original Monk?
Of course, Tony Shalhoub was backed by a stellar cast. Bitty Schram played Sharona for three seasons. She returned to reprise her role in Season 8.
Traylor Howard took on the role of Natalie in 2005. Her daughter, Julie Teeger, was played by Emmy Clarke. Ted Levine played Captain Stottlemeyer, while Jason Gray-Stanford portrayed San Francisco police lieutenant Randall Disher.
Dr. Charles Kroger, who was Monk’s long-suffering psychiatrist for the first six seasons, was played by actor Stanley Kamel. After Stanley’s sudden death, Dr. Kroger was written off the show.
Actor Hector Elizondo played the role of Dr. Neven Bell. In a nod to Stanley, Dr. Bell was one of Dr. Kroger’s colleagues and good friends. And Trudy, Monk’s beloved wife, was played in flashbacks by Melora Hardin. She appeared in 10 episodes.
- Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk
- Bitty Schram as Sharona Fleming
- Ted Levine as Captain Leland Stottlemeyer
- Randall Disher as Jason Gray-Stanford
- Natalie Teeger as Traylor Howard
- Dr. Charles Kroger as Stanley Kamel
- Hector Elizondo as Dr. Neven Bell
- Julie Teeger as Emmy Clarke
- Trudy Monk as Melora Hardin
Who is returning for the Monk reunion movie?
Most of the original cast will return for Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie. The one remaining question mark is whether we will see Bitty once again play Sharona. I’m crossing my fingers that she pops up.
Monk Seasons 1-8 are available to stream on Peacock.