Sharona Fleming, portrayed by Bitty Schram, was an integral part of the hit TV series Monk during its early seasons. As Adrian Monk’s nurse and assistant, she played a crucial role in helping him manage his agoraphobia while assisting with his detective work after his wife’s tragic murder. However, her departure from the show raised questions among fans and became a topic of much discussion.
In the show’s storyline, Sharona’s exit came as a result of her decision to remarry her ex-husband and return to New Jersey. Her departure was briefly addressed in the episode “Mr. Monk and the Billionaire Mugger,” where she quit her job due to a pay dispute, only to later reconnect with her former spouse. Many fans felt that her exit was abrupt and inconsistent with her character’s development.
Behind the scenes, Sharona’s departure was actually tied to a contract dispute between Bitty Schram and the show’s producers. Schram had requested a salary increase, along with co-stars Ted Levine and Jason Gray-Stanford. While Levine and Gray-Stanford remained in their roles, Schram’s request was not met, leading to her replacement by Traylor Howard, who portrayed Natalie Teeger in the middle of the third season.
Despite her controversial departure, Sharona made a memorable return in the show’s final season in the episode “Mr. Monk and Sharona.” This episode offered fans a sense of closure, as Sharona returned to San Francisco to assist Monk with a case. She also has a chance to meet Natalie, Monk’s new assistant, and the episode emphasizes the strong bond between Sharona and Monk, recognizing her importance in his life.
While Sharona’s exit was not ideal for many fans, the character was still mentioned in the series finale and the movie Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie. It was revealed that Sharona had moved on to a new chapter in her life. She had become a grandmother and was living in New Jersey with Randy Disher, who had risen to the position of chief of police in his town. This provided a heartwarming conclusion for Sharona’s character, even though her departure was less than perfect.
