Rizzoli & Isles captured the hearts of crime drama enthusiasts when it first hit the screens in 2010. The show’s unique twist on the genre, focusing on the camaraderie of two female friends and colleagues, set it apart. The dynamic duo of Detective Jane Rizzoli, played by Angie Harmon, and Dr. Maura Isles, portrayed by Sasha Alexander, charmed viewers as they tackled crime in the greater Boston area.
Based on the novels by Tess Gerritsen, the TNT drama ran for a successful seven seasons, concluding in 2016. One of the defining aspects of the show was the undeniable chemistry between its leads, leaving fans eager for a potential reboot.
Alexander, reflecting on her onscreen partnership with Harmon, once remarked, “It’s pretty effortless, I must say. It’s kind of one of those things that clicked from the moment we read together.” The genuine connection between the two actresses was palpable and added depth to their characters.
Despite their differences in real life, with Jane Rizzoli being a tough tomboy and Maura Isles epitomizing prim and proper, the onscreen chemistry worked seamlessly. “Angie and I are very different people. We’re raised different. In real life, we’re very different, but the chemistry just works,” explained Alexander. This ability to represent different facets of women without being pigeonholed endeared them to audiences.
The strong bond between the show’s stars extended to the entire cast, creating a cohesive ensemble. In addition to the central characters, the Rizzoli & Isles family included Jane’s brothers, police officer Frankie Rizzoli Jr. (Jordan Bridges) and Tommy Rizzoli (Colin Egglesfield), as well as their mother, Angela (Lorraine Bracco).
The crime-solving team was further complemented by the likes of Detective Vince Korsak, played by the talented Bruce McGill, Detective Barry Frost (Lee Thompson Young), and lab tech Nina Holiday (Idara Victor).
However, tragedy struck the Rizzoli & Isles family in August 2013 when Lee Thompson Young, who portrayed Barry Frost, tragically died by suicide at the young age of 29. His passing had a profound impact on the cast and crew, leading to a touching tribute to him in the season 5 premiere of the show.
But what are the members of this beloved cast doing now, following the conclusion of Rizzoli & Isles in 2016?
Angie Harmon has maintained a relatively low profile since her time as Jane Rizzoli. She lent her voice to several episodes of Voltron: Legendary Defender between 2017 and 2018, and made an appearance on an episode of Match Game in 2020. In June 2021, she started narrating Lifetime’s documentary series, Cellmate Secrets. Outside of her acting career, Harmon collaborated with home and dorm décor company LeighDeux to launch a summer collection featuring her own skull designs in June 2020. Since 2013, she has also served as a UNICEF ambassador.
After parting ways with her husband of 13 years, Jason Sehorn, in 2014, Harmon got engaged to actor Greg Vaughan in December 2019, although it appears the couple may have called it quits in 2021. Harmon shares three daughters with Sehorn.
Sasha Alexander, the talented Los Angeles native, wrapped up her role on Rizzoli & Isles as the show was coming to an end. She transitioned to recurring roles on Shameless from 2015 to 2016 and appeared in various projects, including Bernard and Huey, Amanda McKay, and The Ride. Alexander made guest appearances on shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, FBI, and Amazing Stories. In 2020, she played Detective Chesler in Netflix’s Dangerous Lies. The actress married Edoardo Ponti in 2007, and they share two children.
Jordan Bridges, who portrayed Jane’s cop brother Frankie for seven seasons, ventured into other roles following the conclusion of Rizzoli & Isles. He appeared in an episode of Law & Order: SVU in 2017 and played Evan Hunter in Christmas at Holly Lodge the same year. Bridges had a recurring role on Gone from 2017 to 2018 and starred in another Hallmark Channel film, True Love Blooms, in 2019. In 2022, he began playing Zachary Held alongside his uncle Jeff Bridges in The Old Man mini-series. Jordan has been married to Carrie Eastman since 2002, and they have two children.
Bruce McGill, known for his portrayal of Det. Vince Korsak on the TNT series, has remained a fixture in the world of television. He made appearances on shows like Blue Bloods, NCIS, and had a recurring role on Suits. In 2018, he narrated Fox News’ documentary Scandalous. In 2020, the Texan actor starred in several films, including The Best of Enemies, Poms, and Troubled Waters. He has two other films in the works, including The Big Ugly and On the Line. McGill has been married to Gloria Lee since 1994.
Lorraine Bracco, known for her role as Jane’s mother Angela on Rizzoli & Isles, transitioned to another cop drama in 2017, where she played Mayor Margaret Dutton on Blue Bloods for five episodes. She later voiced the Werewolf Queen on an episode of Summer Camp Island and appeared in the 2019 short film Master Maggie. Bracco also had roles in films like The Birthday Cake and A Ring for Christmas, which premiered in 2020. Beyond her acting career, she has authored two books, including 2015’s To the Fullest: The Clean Up Your Act Plan to Lose Weight, Rejuvenate, and Be the Best You Can. She has been married twice and has two daughters from past relationships.
Idara Victor, who joined the cast as crime scene analyst Nina Holiday in 2014, continued to make her mark in the entertainment industry. In addition to her role on Rizzoli & Isles, she played Abigail on TURN: Washington’s Spies and appeared on shows like Love Is, Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G., and Shameless. In spring of 2022, Victor began playing Tina on HBO’s Minx.
Colin Egglesfield, introduced as Jane’s brother Tommy Rizzoli in season 2, continued to pursue his acting career. He appeared in movies such as Bad Moms, The Space Between Us, and The Middle of X. The Michigan native also had roles in two episodes of Chicago Fire and starred in the upcoming movie Love by Drowning and In the Blink of an Eye. In 2019, Egglesfield published Agile Artist: Life Lessons from Hollywood and Beyond, a book that chronicles his career and his journey with cancer. He also co-founded Stage 2 Properties in Chicago, focusing on home renovation and redevelopment. Egglesfield has been dating Aline Nobre since December 2019, following an on-and-off relationship for years.
The late Lee Thompson Young, known for his role as Barry Frost, Jane’s partner on Rizzoli & Isles, sadly passed away in August 2014 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His untimely death deeply affected the cast and crew of the show, leading to a poignant tribute in the season 4 episode titled “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone.”
As time moves forward, the cast of Rizzoli & Isles has embarked on diverse paths in the world of entertainment, each making their mark in various projects, both on and off the screen. While fans may continue to cherish their roles in the beloved crime drama, they eagerly await their future endeavors in the world of entertainment.