Summary
Viola Davis made an early exit from theJesse Stoneseries, but would she ever return as Molly Crane? Tom Selleck has had some notable hits on the big screen likeThree Men and a Baby, but he’s best known for his television work.Magnum P.I.famously cost him the role of Indiana Jones inRaiders of the Lost Ark, but it’s still it’s the show that made him a star. In addition to fronting many Western TV movies likeMonte Walshin the years followingMagnum P.I., the star fronted another long-running CBS show withBlue Bloods.
Blue Bloodsran for 14 seasons, and while Selleck and his co-stars have stated they’d love the show to continue, it will finish in 2024.Blue Bloods’ending means Selleck can return toJesse Stone, his ongoing series of TV movies involving the titular detective. Selleck fronted nine films based on the novels by the late Robert B. Parker, with the last entry arriving in 2015. Selleck has often spoken about returning for a tenth entry, but hisBlue Bloodsschedule made that tricky.
Viola Davis Left Jesse Stone To Focus On Her Film Career
David played Officer Molly Crane in the first four Jesse Stone movies
Viola Davis exited the Jesse Stone movies to focus on her film career, which included major roles in films like Law Abiding Citizen and Doubt.
Fans of the property will recall that Viola Davis played Molly Crane intheJesse Stonemovies, and exited following 2007’sSea Change. Davis had yet to become a household name when she appeared in the series, though she had supporting roles in everything from sci-fi remakeSolaristoGet Rich or Die Tryin'. Needless to say, Davis was great as Molly, and brought a sardonic humor to the role. The movies found Davis at a turning point in her career, as filmmakers were beginning to realize just how talented she was.
Viola Davis exitedJesse Stoneto focus on her film career, which included major roles in films likeLaw Abiding CitizenandDoubt. Her Oscar nomination forDoubtalso brought her career to a new level, and in the years that followed, she won more praise for TV seriesHow to Get Away with Murder,FencesandThe Woman King. It’s fair to say she is considered one of the best actors of her generation, andgreat as Davis was playing Molly, it was ultimately a supporting role that wasn’t the best showcase for her talents.
Viola Davis played 50 Cent’s Grandmother inGet Rich or Die Tryin,' despite being a mere nine years older than her co-star.
Jesse Stone: Sea ChangecastKathy Baker as Rose, who replaced Molly after she left the force. Baker has since become a fan favorite part of the series, and while it made sense storywise, Rose’s absence from 2015’sLost in Paradisewas cited as an issue with the movie.
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Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise
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There’s not much drama involved in Molly’s exit from the series. InSea Change, a drunken Jesse calls her up, and it’s revealed she has moved to L.A.Molly is also heavily pregnant, having resigned from the police force to start a familyfar away from gloomy Paradise. She is understandably concerned when Jesse calls her in the middle of the night, and after she gives her old boss an update on how life is going, she declares she needs sleep and wraps up their chat.
Jesse Stone: Sea Change Is The Best Of Tom Selleck’s Noir Franchise
Jesse Stone: Sea Change is the fourth entry of Tom Selleck’s acclaimed neo-noir detective franchise and it’s arguably the best to date.
That was the last time Davis appeared in theJesse Stonefranchise, and considering she was Oscar-nominated by the time the fifth movieThin Iceaired, the odds of luring her back felt slim. While Molly remains part of the book series, she’s been absent for five movies and counting.
Would Viola Davis Return For Jesse Stone 10?
It wouldn’t be the first time Davis made a surprise cameo
A tenthJesse Stonehas yet to be confirmed, but Selleck has toldParadehe has a screenplay written out. The movies have a solid fanbase, and now the star has time to focus on projects outside ofBlue Bloods, he will almost certainly be pushing for a Jesse comeback. In the years since Davis exited the franchise, she hasn’t had much to say on the subject ofJesse Stoneor if she would be open to returning.
This is hardly a surprise, considering most of her interviews focus on higher-profile projects likeThe Suicide Squad.It’s unknown if Viola Davis would return forJesse Stone 10, but outside of a cameo, it’s doubtful she would play a significant role. An uncredited appearance - like her cameo in James Gunn’sPeacemaker- is the best fans of Molly Crane can hope for, but despite how much Davis' star has risen in the last 20 years, it would be nice to see her reprise the role one last time.
