Good news for 2000s nostalgia fans: the character of Adrian Monk, a depressive detective with OCD, will be making his return on TF1 for a special TV movie! In Monk's Return, the former inspector, still played by Tony Shalhoub, takes on one last investigation at the request of his stepdaughter Molly. Here are 5 things to know about this highly anticipated film for fans of the series.
1- Actor Tony Shalhoub is back in action.
Nearly fifteen years after the end of the Monk series, broadcast on TF1 between 2003 and 2010, Tony Shalhoub reprises the role that made him known to French viewers in the event telefilm Monk Returns.
The American actor, producer, and director, recently seen in the series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Prime Video, effortlessly slips into the role of this former depressive detective with a plethora of OCDs. Apart from a few wrinkles, this very funny and endearing character has hardly changed…
2- We find Monk there after the Covid pandemic.
In the TV movie Monk's Return, long-time fans will find their favorite investigator as if they had never left him... or almost!
Now retired and a failed novelist, Adrian Monk is true to himself, even more "Monk" than before! Already in the 2000s series, his OCD made life difficult for him. But they have taken on entirely new proportions since the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
At the beginning of the TV movie, the former detective is in deep depression: his phobias have made him lose touch with reality as well as his contract with his publisher...
3- The investigator is grappling with a billionaire.
A family drama, however, will push him out of retirement and back on track. His daughter-in-law Molly (played by Caitlin McGee) is about to get married. But this happy news turns into tragedy when Griffin, Molly's fiancé, dies in a bungee jumping accident the day before their wedding.
Molly immediately suspects foul play and asks Monk for help in solving the case. Enough to push the former detective out of retirement!
In this TV movie, our favorite hero will try to unmask a billionaire in the style of Elon Musk, who he believes is guilty of murdering his daughter-in-law's fiancé...
4- All the stars of the series are making their comeback in this TV movie.
In the TV movie Monk Returns, Molly's wedding is the pretext chosen by the screenwriters to bring back the iconic characters of the series.
Natalie Teeger, played by Traylor Howard, and Randy Disher, aka Jason Gray-Stanford, return to San Francisco to participate in the ceremony and festivities.
Thus, actor Tony Shalhoub, who portrayed this unique hero for 125 episodes, reunites with his former partners in this TV movie. We also see Melora Hardin appear as Trudy Monk, Hector Elizondo as the hero's psychiatrist, Dr. Neven Bell, and Ted Levine aka Captain Stottlemeyer.
5- Fans are eagerly awaiting this reunion.
If you are one of the fans eagerly awaiting the announcement of the broadcast of the TV movie Monk's Return, note that this film has been split into two parts for its French airing. You can watch the two 55-minute episodes on **Wednesday, September 4th at 9:10 PM** on TF1.
Clad in his dark suits and obsessive ideas, this depressive, stingy, and brilliant character manages to make people laugh thanks to the talent of his equally brilliant interpreter, Tony Shalhoub, who has been awarded four times at the Emmy Awards.
All those who have already watched the Monk series understand why many French viewers are eagerly awaiting this reunion. Fans can rest assured: they will find in this film the delightful blend of investigation and humor that is the hallmark of "Monk."