The popular CBS sitcom “Mom,” starring Emmy-winning Allison Janney, will end after the current eighth season.
Chuck Lorre’s comedy about a group of close addicts, including Janney’s main character, Bonnie, will conclude with the end of the May 6 season, which will serve as the protagonist of the series, according to Variety.
The move comes after Anna Faris, who plays Bonnie’s daughter Christy, surprisingly left the series just before production began on the eighth season in September.
“For the past eight years, we have had the great honor of bringing these wonderful characters to life, sharing their struggles and triumphs with millions of viewers each week,” executive producers Lorre, Gemma Baker and Nick Bakay said in a statement. .
“From the beginning, we set out to tell stories about the recovery from alcoholism and addiction that are rarely portrayed in a series of online comedies. Whether it was the emotional reactions of the live audience during the night of tapes on stage 20, like the discussions in the White House about the opioid crisis or the personal stories we continue to receive on social media, we are very proud to know that MOM has had so many positive impact lives. We are always grateful for our brilliant cast and guest stars, wonderful writers and an amazing team to follow this journey with us. ”
CBS Entertainment President Kelly Kahl added that the show, produced by Warner Bros. Television, “has touched people’s lives by sensitively dealing with heavy but related issues, with a perfect and skillful touch.”
Tuesday’s episode of Ellen DeGeneres’ eponymous talk show, Janney, 61, told viewers that “it was very strange” not to have Faris, 44, on the show, and added: “It’s very Miss Anna escapes and loses her character from the show.And we are just happy that she does what she wants to do now and we are even happier, so that we can still tell these stories about these great women and recovery.
“And I think some really wonderful characters have been established,” he continued. “And people love the show, so we’ll keep telling the stories for as long as possible.”
In a statement announcing her departure last year, Faris called her seven years on the program “of the most satisfying and rewarding of my career.”
The show’s regular cast also includes Jaime Pressly, Mimi Kennedy, Beth Hall, Kristen Johnston and William Fichtner. Over the years, other performers have been featured as recurring and guest stars, including Yvette Nicole Brown, Ellen Burstyn, Kristin Chenoweth, Beverly D’Angelo, Patti LuPone, Joe Manganiello, Emily Osment, Kevin Pollak, Richard Schiff, June Squibb, Octavia Spencer, Frenchman Stewart (originally a regular series), Kathleen Turner, Steven Weber, Bradley Whitford and Rainn Wilson.
The finale of the series will air at 9pm on Thursday, May 6, on CBS.