"Rizzoli & Isles" season 5 spoilers & other info! [UPDATED!]

Sam Lembeck posing with the season 5 production calendar
(via Sam Lembeck, executive producer's assistant)
This is a list of "Rizzoli & Isles" spoilers for season 5. Check out the R&I tidbits archive post for tweets from the set of "Rizzoli & Isles" season 5, and follow the Absolutely Angie R&I Twitter list to keep up with those working on the show. This post will be updated as more info is revealed!

Check out extended synopses of episodes that have already aired!

Episode 18: "Family Matters"
Airs March 17
Written by Jan Nash (@jannash100)

When a woman finds her husband has been murdered, the ensuing investigation reveals that the victim may have been living a double life.

Episode 17: "Bite Out of Crime"
Airs March 17
Written by Russell J. Grant (@usmc916)

The squad works overtime hunting down a serial killer sniper. Maura befriends a witness to the crime, who happens to suffer from a mental condition that has him believing he is a wolf.

Episode 16: "In Plain View"
Airs March 10
Written by Michael Sardo

After a man is found bludgeoned to death on the side of the road, Jane and the squad team up with another detective who believes he is hunting the same roadside killer. Meanwhile, Maura discovers she has had her identity stolen and recruits Angela to help track down the culprit.

Episode 15: "Gumshoe"
Airs March 3
Written by Ron McGee (RonMcGee10)

The squad is forced to join forces with an over-eager private investigator when a successful clothing designer is found poisoned and his wife reported missing. Jane notices Angela is spending too much money and asks Maura to teach her mom how to handle her finances.

Episode 14: "Foot Loose"
Airs February 24
Written by Michael Sardo

When a severed human foot washes up on shore, the squad is called in to identify the victim and track down the murderer as more body parts are found. After an unsuccessful job hunt, Angela finds she enjoys helping out Korsak at the Dirty Robber.

Episode 13: "Bridge to Tomorrow"
Airs February 17
Written by Ken Hanes (HanesKen)

After Jane jumps from a bridge to save a prosecutor suspected of his murdering his mistress, Maura is terrified that she has lost her best friend. The squad must now renew the search to find the real killer. Meanwhile, Angela enlists Frankie's help as she applies to new jobs.


The story so far...

Where We Left Off: Jane tried to talk Westcourt (Jamie Bamber), a prosecutor who was framed for killing his mistress, off a bridge, but when he slipped and fell, she jumped after him, leaving Maura looking on in horror.
What's Next: Spoiler alert: Jane lives. Maura will once again help Jane through the trauma and vice versa when Maura and Jack (Enver Gjokaj) break up. "Many of the men who've come into their lives … have not felt like they were — I don't want to use 'worthy' — but they are not the kind of men you would want these women to be in a relationship with," showrunner Jan Nash tells us. "In the end, they have each other." The finale will definitely reflect that: Jane and Maura go on a road trip, during which a case comes up… and they have a sing-along! (via TV Guide)


---HIATUS---


Episode 12: "Burden of Proof"
Airs September 2
Written by Katie Wech (@StickHippo)

A notable county prosecutor is arrested for murder, and as the case against him grows increasingly strong, Jane begins to doubt he did it. Angela nominates herself to educate Maura on the interests of kids today when she hears Maura is going to meet Jack's 12-year-old daughter.

Jamie Bamber ("Battlestar Galactica") "will guest-star as Paul Wescourt, a successful prosecutor who is accused of killing his mistress." (via TVLine)

The episode "will end with more than one life hanging in the balance" as Jane is "forced to take action at the risk of her own safety." (via TV Guide)

Filmed on location at 130 N. Van Ness Ave. in Los Angeles, California. (via OLV)


Credit: Jan Nash, Norman Buckley, Ken Hanes
(collage by Absolutely Angie)

Episode 11: "If You Can't Stand the Heat"
Airs August 26
Written by Diana Mendez & Sam Lembeck (@dianamen & @SamLembeck)

In the middle of a heat wave, Jane and Maura find a man who died suspiciously in a bathtub full of ice. In trying to stay cool, Angela discovers a spicy tea that seems to be working, but it has unexpected romantic consequences.

Actors Matt Corboy and Michelle Ang appear in this episode, as does recurring guest actor Tina Huang. (via Matt Corboy, Michelle Ang, Diana Mendez)

The episode also features a canine guest star. (via Diana Mendez)

Filmed on location at Hollywood Cemetery. (via Alicia Kirk)


Credit: Jan Nash, Sam Lembeck, Sasha Alexander, Diana Mendez
(collage by Absolutely Angie)

Episode 10: "Phoenix Rising"
Airs August 19

The team helps Korsak investigate an old case that has gone very, very cold. Jane refuses to believe that she's not ready to go back on duty and takes some untraditional steps to stay involved.


Credit: Jan Nash, Russ Grant, Extravagant Lyfe, Sasha Alexander
(collage by Absolutely Angie)

Episode 9: "It Takes A Village"
Airs August 12

Mummified remains of a woman put the team's investigative skills to the test. Jane works from her hospital room as she, with Maura's and her family's support, seeks to recover from a devastating loss.

Actors Merrin Dungey and Jona Xiao appear in this episode. (via Merrin Dungey, Jona Xiao)

Filmed on location at St. Luke Medical Center at 2632 E. Washington Blvd. in Pasadena, California. (via OLV)


Credit: Sasha Alexander, Merrin Dungey, Jan Nash
(collage by Absolutely Angie)

Episode 8: "Lost & Found"
Airs August 5

The team races against time to find a young witness to the contract killing of a woman outside of a nightclub. Ultimately, Jane puts herself in the line of fire to save this witness's life.

In Episode 8, a new member of the squad will be introduced. (via New York Post)

There's speculation that this new member will be Nina Holiday, played by Idara Victor, who lists the role in her Twitter bio and has been features in several photos with the cast and crew.

Recurring guest actor Tina Huang (Susie Chang) appears in this episode, as does actor Jimmy Smagula. (via Robin Pelleck and Jimmy Smagula)

The killer in this episode sports a beard crafted by makeup department head Jessica Crocker. (via Jessica Crocker)

Filmed on location at an apartment at 445 N. Rossmore Ave. in Los Angeles, California. (via OLV)


Credit: Jessica Brooks, Jessica Crocker, Jan Nash
(collage by Absolutely Angie)

Episode 7: "Boston Keltic"
Airs July 29

The murder of a rare bookseller brings Jane and Maura into the world of Keltic writings and coded confessions, just as Maura is preparing Jane to meet her new man. Angela's relationship with Cavanaugh changes pace.

Actors Nick Toren and Brendan Coughlin appear in this episode. (via Blair Singer, Brendan Coughlin)


Credit: Jan Nash, Sasha Alexander, Blair Singer
(collage by Absolutely Angie)

Episode 6: "Knockout"
Airs July 22
Written by Russ Grant (@usmc916) & Michael Sardo

With Maura at a Medical Examiner's convention, Jane needs Susie's (guest star Tina Huang) help and crime scene dioramas to solve the perfect murder. Meanwhile, Korsak is visited by the son of an old friend and forced to deal with painful unfinished business.

Korsak, who revealed he can play the guitar in season 4, performs in concert. (via Jan Nash)

Actors Nathan Edmondson, Meredith Thomas, Angelo Vacco and recurring guest actor Tina Huang (Susie Chang) appear in this episode. Vacco plays "an ex-boxer and now-trainer named Mickey Rizzo from East Boston." (via Chip on TNT, Meredith Thomas, Tina Huang, NH Register)


Credit: Nathan Edmondson, Jan Nash, Tina Huang
(collage by Absolutely Angie)

Episode 5: "The Best Laid Plans"
Airs July 15
Written by Alicia Kirk (@LillybeanFritz)

The team investigates the murder of a wealthy woman with terminal cancer and only a few months left to live. And when Maura teaches a class, she meets a man who might be her Mr. Right, but she is torn between the doubts of her scientific mind and the instincts of her heart.

Maura teaches a forensic science class ... and meets a man who might be Mr. Right: Boston University professor Jack Keystone (Enver Gjokaj). (via TV Guide scan, TV Guide article)
Editorial note: The character's surname was later changed to Armstrong.

Actor Eric Martsolf appears in this episode. (via Eric Martsolf's Twitter)

Filmed on location at 380 South San Rafael Avenue in Pasadena, California - the original Wayne Manor/"Batman mansion." (via Jessica Crocker's Twitter and numerous other cast and crew tweets)


Credit: Angie Harmon, Eric Martsolf, Jan Nash
(collage by Absolutely Angie)

Episode 4: "Doomsday"
Airs July 8
Written by Katie Wech (@StickHippo)

When a man is found murdered inside his supposedly impenetrable doomsday fallout shelter, the squad must figure out how and why he was targeted. Jane finds it difficult to focus on the case when she discovers Korsak is looking into retirement and Frankie is keeping a secret of his own.

Actor Hayes Hargrove and recurring guest actor Tina Huang (Susie Chang) appear in this episode. (via Hayes Hargrove's Twitter, Tina Huang's Twitter)

This episode is the first of the season to feature scenes in the Dirty Robber. (via Jan Nash's Twitter)

A bookcase explosion occurs in this episode; check out one of the test videos! (via Jan Nash's Twitter)


Credit: Eve Watterson, Angie Harmon, Katie Wech, Jan Nash
(collage by Absolutely Angie)

Episode 3: "Too Good to be True"
Airs July 1
Written by Ken Hanes (@HanesKen)

A killer is using online ads to find the perfect candidate for murder: men no one will notice are missing. Meanwhile, Jane discovers that keeping her pregnancy quiet will be a tough assignment.

Recurring guest actors Colin Egglesfield (Tommy Rizzoli) and Tina Huang (Susie Chang) appear in this episode. (via Colin Egglesfield's Twitter, Jan Nash's Twitter)


Credit: Eve Watterson, Ken Hanes, Jan Nash
(collage by Absolutely Angie)

Episode 2: "Goodbye"
Airs June 24
Written by executive producer Jan Nash (@jannash100)

A woman walks into the station covered in blood, carrying a gun, and saying she killed someone. Unfortunately, the trauma of what she did caused her to forget who she is or who the victim is. The team tries to unravel this bizarre case as they deal with the loss of close friend and colleague, Det. Barry Frost.

This episode "features the squad dealing with the loss while also planning Frost's memorial service, during which Jane will deliver a heartfelt tribute to her former partner. Pro tip: Bring the tissues." (via TV Guide)

Jane and Maura learn of Frost's death in a car accident at the end of the premiere, and then the second episode will focus on the grieving squad, culminating with a memorial service, during which Jane speaks. "Angie is fantastic in the scene," Nash teases. "Just incredibly moving and amazing." (via TV Guide)

Executive producer Jan Nash discusses how the show deals with the death of Detective Frost in this interview and this interview.

Actors "Uncle Warren," Ernie Hudson and Jenn Proske appear in this episode. (via Uncle Warren's Twitter, Ernie Hudson's Twitter, Jenn Proske's Twitter)

Filmed on location in downtown San Pedro. (via @HstoricSanPedro)


Credit: Jan Nash
(collage by Absolutely Angie)

Episode 1: "A New Day"
Airs June 17
Written by Michael Sardo

Promo photos

Sneak peek video

Solving the murder of a jogger takes on even greater urgency when Jane realizes that the motive was theft…of the woman’s baby. As the investigation gets underway, Jane attempts to hide her pregnancy from her snooping mother, and Maura and Frankie face the aftermath of their kiss.

The Season 5 premiere opens with the murder of a jogger, a case that grows more urgent when Jane discovers the woman's baby is missing. It's a compelling backdrop as Jane - pregnancy confirmed - tries to hide her news from her prying mom. "I had to put on 12 pounds, which meant way more chips and beer and cheeseburgers than I ever allow myself," Harmon says. "Not that I'm complaining." (via TV Guide)

"Jane and Maura won't get word of Frost's death — via a car accident — until the very end of the Season 5 premiere." (via TV Guide)

Is Jane really pregnant on Rizzoli & Isles? Yup, and she's trying to keep it a secret. But that won't last too long when someone in her inner circle figures out that she's with child and confirms it with Maura. "Jane is still figuring out how to handle this," executive producer Jan Nash says. "But she's definitely pregnant. We didn't want to throw that out there and not go through with it. Will she keep [the baby]? That's a different question." (via TV Guide)

Actor David Kaufman appears in this episode. (via David Kaufman's Twitter)

Filmed on location at "several apartments, 2 churches & Lacy Studio" (via Film Crew LA's Twitter)


Credit: Jan Nash, Jessica Crocker
(collage by Absolutely Angie)

The story so far...

Where We Left Off: Maura and Frankie flirted when she tended to his busted lip after a fight. Jane accepted Casey's proposal, but they later broke up after Casey decided to stay in the military and asked Jane to come with him. But they'll still be in each other's lives because Jane is pregnant!
What's Next: The show will address the death of Lee Thompson Young, who committed suicide in August, in the season's first two episodes. Jane will attempt to keep her pregnancy on the down-low from both her mother and Korsak, who's considering retirement. Maura and Frankie's blossoming romance will hit a roadblock when she meets Jack Keystone (Enver Gjokaj), a Boston University professor she thinks might be The One. (via TV Guide)