This article mentions suicide.
The well-loved comedy crime dramaMonk(2002-2009) recently enjoyed a reprisal with Randy Zisk’s 2023 filmMr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie. The film sequel follows former detective Adrian Monk as he investigates one final case for his step-daughter, Molly. The movie brought back nearly all of theMonkoriginal cast, including Hector Elizondo’s Dr. Neven Bell. Dr. Bell was introduced at the start of season 7 in the same episode where Monk has to deal with the loss of Dr. Charles Kroger, who died of a heart attack.
Fans of theoriginalMonkseriesmay recall the season 7 death of Dr. Charles Kroger, which led to his replacement with Dr. Neven Bell. Unfortunately, the real-life reason behind this major character’s death was thatDr. Kroger’s actor, Stanley Kamel, passed away from a heart attack.Rather than recasting the character,Monkwrote Dr. Kroger out of the show, which led to one of the most emotional and heartbreaking episodes of the series.
Monk Season 7 Opened With Dr. Kroger’s Death After Stanley Kamel Passed Away
Monk Season 7, Episode 1 Was Dedicated To Stanley Kamel
Early in the premiere ofMonkseason 7,it is revealed that Dr. Kroger (Stanley Kamel) has passed away suddenly. Adrian is devastated, and the grief severely worsens his obsessive compulsions over the following month. This includes the nighttime piano practice of a young neighbor that agitates him to the point of purchasing a new home for the sole purpose of escaping the noise - which is, of course, only audible to him. Tony Shalhoub (viaVariety) spoke on the loss of Dr. Kroger’s actor, sharing thatKamel’s death took a heavy toll on the cast and crew.
The loss of Stanley Kamel was so sudden and shocking, it caught all of us really off guard, and happened just at the time we were about to begin the season. Stanley made such an enormous contribution to the whole thing; he was there right from the pilot and helped … to define my character. So the loss of Stanley is hard, but I have to say he left … me with this amazing gift, really, a lesson: … He’s one of those rare actors today that didn’t have an ounce of cynicism about the business. He’s not so jaded like so many people have become, I think. He came in, he loved it, he loved to talk (about) the work, he was appreciative of the job and of the opportunity, he respected the actors that he was working with on the show. Late in the season, when my ass was starting to drag a little bit, he would bounce in, and he would just sort of reinvigorate the whole thing. And I would be: What am I whining about, how can I be tired, how can I be complacent? I have to be so mindful of the fact that we’re in this amazing situation, we’re (in) a great profession, and we’re in a great job, in a successful series, with a devoted audience, and Stanley’s having a ball — I’ve got to remember to have a ball again. He left me with that, that reminder: It’s all good, it’s all good.
In the show, Dr. Kroger’s unexpected death was caused by a massive heart attack. Unfortunately, this directly mirrors the real reason Stanley Kamel’s beloved character was replaced by Hector Elizondo’s Dr. Neven Bell.Kamel passed of a heart attack on June 16, 2025, at the age of 65, very shortly beforeMonkseason 7 was set to begin filming.
Hector Elizondo’s Dr. Bell Became Monk’s New Therapist From Season 7 Onward
Monk Desperately Needed A New Therapist - Enter Dr. Neven Bell
Following the loss of his therapist’s support, Adrian was in a bad place. His assistant,Natalie Teeger (Traylor Howard)introduced him to Dr. Neven Bell in season 7 episode 1, “Mr. Monk Buys A House.” Bell had clearly done his research, as he greeted Adrian for their 12 pm therapy session at the very second the clock struck noon and offered Monk a wipe after shaking hands for the first time. Despite what seems to be a perfect fit,Adrian’s grief over the loss of Dr. Kroger initially caused him to resist the change.
20 Best Monk Episodes, Ranked
Monk had numerous beloved and brilliant episodes over its 8 seasons. Many received critical acclaim and even earned the show several accolades.
By the end of the episode, however, Adrian has bonded so well with his new therapist that he attempts to book two sessions in one day. Adrian’s newfound doctor-patient relationship with Dr. Neven Bell is immensely healing following the loss of Dr. Kroger. Unsurprisingly, though, despite this much-needed support,Monk continues to face a myriad of mental health strugglesin the subsequent seasons, leaving the viewer to wonder how he would cope after finally solving the murder of his late wife, Trudy, in the series finale.
Mr. Monk’s Last Case Revealed Dr. Bell Retired But Continued To See Adrian
Dr. Bell Cared Too Much To End Adrian’s Therapy
Monkexecutive producer Randy Zisk went on to become director of the 2023 filmMr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie, with original show creator Andy Breckman as writer. A key subplot ofthe movie explores how Monk struggles to cope after having solved Trudy’s murder and living in a post-COVID world.
The film touchingly reprises Mr. Monk’s pivotal relationship with Dr. Bell asAdrian grapples with suicidal ideation and visions of his late wife. In one particularly heart-warming scene, Dr. Bell tearfully reveals that he has retired, saying, “I have something to tell you. I retired two months ago. You’re the only patient I have. I love you, Adrian.“Monk replies,“I love you, too. (…) This can’t be healthy.“Though a sequel has yet to be confirmed, the open ending of the film makesMonk 2a possibility.
Mr. Monk’s Last Casebeautifully captures the essence ofMonkas a heart-warming, cozy mystery series, and does so without compromising on suspense or intrigue.TheMonkmovie also honors many of the original show’s cases in its final scenes. Most importantly, in continuing Adrian’s dynamic with Dr. Bell 16 years afterMonk, the film expertly highlights the necessity of emotional support and community for those dealing with mental health challenges.
