Despite a tragic loss, Adrian Monk will still be able to get the help he needs this summer.
Hector Elizondo will be joining the cast of Monk's upcoming seventh season after signing on to play the finicky detective's therapist, a role unexpectedly left unfilled after the sudden death of veteran character actor Stanley Kamel from a heart attack earlier this month.
"Monk will always need a therapist—and it's a part that is pivotal to the central themes of the show," USA exec Jeff Wachtel said in a statement Wednesday. "When we lost Stanley, we knew we needed an actor who could bring warmth, intelligence and humor to the role. Hector was actually the first person that came to mind, and we are incredibly fortunate that he's agreed to do some episodes with us. Stanley can never be replaced, but we think he'd be very pleased with our choice."
Elizondo most recently starred in the short-lived CBS drama Cane. New episodes of Monk premiere July 18.