Sharona Fleming was indispensable to Adrian Monk’s recovery and career. Without her, the brilliant but troubled detective might never have emerged from his agoraphobia after his wife’s tragic murder. Sharona was the driving force that helped Monk reintegrate into society, enabling him to become the beloved, mystery-solving, OCD-afflicted detective that Monk fans adored for eight seasons (and in the upcoming film, Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie, premiering on Peacock on December 8).
However, Sharona’s presence wasn’t constant throughout the entire series. Bitty Schram, the actress who portrayed her, departed from the main cast after Season 3, only making a guest appearance in the show’s final season. The question remains: why did Sharona leave Monk?
Who Was Sharona Fleming in Monk?
Sharona Fleming, portrayed by Bitty Schram, was more than just Adrian Monk’s nurse; she was his steadfast assistant and a crucial part of his life for the first three seasons of Monk. After the devastating loss of his wife, Monk retreated from the world, grappling with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder and various phobias. Sharona entered his life and became his anchor, helping him navigate daily routines and, importantly, return to detective work.
Sharona’s role extended beyond managing Monk’s eccentricities. She actively participated in his investigations, often performing tasks that Monk’s conditions prevented him from undertaking. Her practicality, courage, and down-to-earth nature were perfect foils to Monk’s anxieties and brilliant mind, making them an effective and endearing duo.
Bitty Schram: The Actress Behind Sharona
Bitty Schram, born Elizabeth Schram in Mountainside, New Jersey, is an American actress who brought Sharona Fleming to life. While she is widely recognized for her role in Monk, Schram is also known for her memorable portrayal of Evelyn Gardner in the classic baseball film A League of Their Own (1992). In this movie, she was the right fielder and mother to a disruptive son, famously on the receiving end of Tom Hanks’ iconic line, “There’s no crying in baseball!”
Beyond these signature roles, Schram has appeared in numerous other television shows and films, including guest roles in Roswell and Felicity. However, it’s her work in A League of Their Own and Monk that has solidified her place in popular culture.
The On-Screen Explanation for Sharona’s Departure
Within the Monk storyline, Sharona’s exit was attributed to a significant life change. Known for her occasional threats to leave Monk’s employ due to his demanding nature, Sharona finally did depart at the end of Season 3. The show explained her departure by having Sharona reconcile with her ex-husband, Trevor. She decided to remarry him and relocate back to New Jersey with her son, Benjy, providing a plausible and somewhat heartwarming narrative conclusion to her character’s arc at that point.
The Real Reason: Contract Disputes and Creative Differences
While the show offered a neat fictional resolution for Sharona’s absence, the actual reasons behind Bitty Schram’s departure from Monk were more complex and rooted in behind-the-scenes issues. In 2004, when Schram left the series, a USA Network spokesperson cited “creative direction” as the primary factor.
According to a Today news report from that time, the network stated, “Monk has decided to go in a different creative direction with some of its characters. Bitty will not continue with the cast and we thank her for her notable contributions and wish her the very best.” This statement suggested that the showrunners had decided to take Sharona’s character in a direction that didn’t align with Schram’s continued involvement.
However, subsequent reports, including a piece from Entertainment Weekly, pointed towards contract disputes as a significant contributing factor. Schram, who had received a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of Sharona, along with co-stars Ted Levine (Captain Stottlemeyer) and Jason Gray-Stanford (Lieutenant Disher), were reportedly seeking salary increases for their return. While Levine and Gray-Stanford successfully negotiated their contracts and remained on the show, Bitty Schram and the network could not reach an agreement, leading to her exit. Sharona Fleming was then replaced by Natalie Teeger, played by Traylor Howard, who became Monk’s new assistant.
Sharona’s Return in Season 8
Despite the circumstances of her departure, any potential hard feelings seemed to have been resolved when Bitty Schram reprised her role as Sharona in Season 8, for a guest appearance in the episode “Mr. Monk and Sharona.” Tony Shalhoub, the star of Monk, expressed his delight at her return, telling Entertainment Weekly, “We couldn’t think of a better way to help wrap up the series than with the return of Bitty’s character. Bringing some closure to Sharona is long overdue.”
Sharona’s return provided a welcome sense of nostalgia and allowed fans to see her character again before the series concluded. As of now, it remains unconfirmed whether Bitty Schram will appear in the upcoming Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie.
In conclusion, while the fictional explanation for Sharona’s departure involved remarriage and a move, the real reasons behind Bitty Schram leaving Monk after Season 3 appear to be a combination of creative differences and ultimately, unresolved contract negotiations. Her return in the final season, however, suggests a positive resolution and lasting appreciation for her contribution to the beloved series.
Catch up on all of Monk on Peacock ahead of the premiere of Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie on December 8, 2023.
