'Monk's' sidekick leaves USA Network show

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Bitty Schram, a Golden Globe nominee for her role as nurse Sharona Fleming on "Monk," reportedly is set to exit the top-rated USA Network drama.

Schram will leave the show, which stars Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk, in the middle of its third season, Hollywood Reporter said Tuesday.

While both parties released statements saying the split was amicable, a salary dispute reportedly may have accelerated Schram's departure.

"'Monk' has decided to go in a different creative direction with some of its characters. Bitty will not continue with the cast, and we thank her for her notable contributions and wish her the very best," an unidentified USA Network spokesman said.

Schram "wishes everyone connected with the show continued success" said a statement from the actress's management company, Untitled Management.

USA currently is casting for a new character, a young widow who works as a bartender.

New episodes of "Monk," on hiatus until September, will begin airing in January.