Why did Viola Davis leave the Jesse Stone franchise?
Playing Officer Molly Crane, Viola Davis, the award-winning actress most known for her performances in "How to Get Away with Murder," "Fences," and "The Woman King," made a fleeting but unforgettable appearance in the Jesse Stone series.
She appeared in the first four movies, but left following "Sea Change" (2007), a choice she made to concentrate on her developing movie career. This action let her pursue big parts in movies like "Law Abiding Citizen" and "Doubt," which finally resulted in her Oscar nomination for "Doubt" in 2009.
Although she was great as Molly and gave the part a distinctive sardonic humor, from a career standpoint her leaving made sense. While popular, the Jesse Stone series would not have let her fully shine as she was moving from supporting roles to leading lady status.
How did Molly Crane leave the Jesse Stone movies?
Molly left the franchise rather quietly. In "Sea Change," viewers find she left the police force and moved to Los Angeles to begin a family. She tells Jesse on her life over a late-night phone call, then hangs up ready for some much-needed sleep.
For the character, it was a fitting departure that let her follow a fresh chapter in her life and leave a good impression on viewers. Molly's absence from the later movies was obvious, but the show deftly introduced a new character—Rose (Kathy Baker)—who soon became a fan favorite.
Will Viola Davis be back for Jesse Stone 10?
Currently under development is a tenth Jesse Stone film, with Tom Selleck (playing the title character) penning the script. Even if it's just a fleeting scene, Davis's return seems improbable, yet supporters still hope she might make a cameo.
With a lot of high-profile projects, Davis has been quite busy, thus it makes sense why she might not give a return to the Jesse Stone franchise top priority importance. Still, it's evidence of her talent and Molly Crane's character that fans find her still beloved.
Only time will ultimately reveal whether Viola Davis will ever find her way back to the Jesse Stone universe. Even so, her influence on the show will be felt for years to come.
