Tony Shalhoub returned as the titular character and
OCD detective,
Adrian Monk.
Ted Levine and
Jason Gray-Stanford reprised their roles as
Captain Leland Stottlemeyer and
Lieutenant Randy Disher, respectively.
Bitty Schram portrayed Monk's nurse, Sharona Fleming, for the first half of the season, but left due to a contract dispute.
Traylor Howard was then cast as
Natalie Teeger in a main role as Monk's new assistant.
Andy Breckman, the show's creator, stated, "I will always be grateful to Traylor because she came in when the show was in crisis and saved our baby [....] We had to make a hurried replacement, and not every show survives that. I was scared to death."
Stanley Kamel reprised his role as Monk's psychiatrist,
Dr. Charles Kroger, in nine episodes, while
Kane Ritchotte continued to play
Benjy Fleming, Sharona's son.
Emmy Clarke entered the series as
Julie Teeger (Natalie's daughter), and
Melora Hardin returned as Monk's beloved deceased wife,
Trudy Monk.
Tim Bagley made his first two appearances as
Harold Krenshaw, Monk's main rival.
Jarrad Paul portrays
Kevin Dorfman, Monk's annoying upstairs neighbor, while
Glenne Headly continues to portray
Karen Stottlemeyer, the captain's wife. ==Episodes==