Chuck Lorre Says His Initial Doubts About Casting Anna Faris on "Mom" Were Confirmed by Her Departure
In his memoir, Chuck Lorre reflects on his early reservations about hiring Anna Faris for the sitcom "Mom" and cites her 2020 exit as validation, while Faris explains the personal challenges that led to her leaving.
Chuck Lorre wrote in his new memoir that his early hesitation to cast Anna Faris on the sitcom "Mom" proved justified after she left the series before its final season. He did not detail the specific reasons for her departure, noting that they were clear to the production team.
Faris, who announced her exit in 2020, told the Happy Sad Confused podcast that the intensity of the role and a prolonged filming schedule affected her focus. She described the experience as a "complicated time" and expressed gratitude for the show's impact on viewers.
Lorre praised the later seasons of "Mom" for finding a stronger voice and addressing themes such as recovery from alcoholism. He also expressed disappointment with CBS's decision to cancel the series after eight seasons, describing the cancellation as abrupt.
The actress, who shares a son with ex-partner Chris Pratt, said the seven-year run was among the most rewarding of her career and thanked Lorre, the writers, and her castmates for the experience. She added that she would continue to follow the show and support her former colleagues.