Anna Faris Leaving ‘Mom,’ Season 8 Will Address Christy’s Absence

Anna Faris as Christy in the Mom season 6 finale
Michael Yarish/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Mom is saying goodbye to one of its lead stars.

Anna Faris will not be returning as Christy for Season 8. Instead, the actress, who’s appeared on the CBS comedy since the beginning, is looking to “pursue new opportunities,” according to her statement.

“The past seven years on Mom have been some of the most fulfilling and rewarding of my career,” Faris said. “I’m so thankful to Chuck [Lorre], the writers, and my amazing castmates for creating a truly wonderful work experience. While my journey as Christy has come to an end, allowing me to pursue new opportunities, I’ll be watching next season and rooting for my TV family.”

Season 8 will include an explanation for Christy’s absence. The series has followed her and mother Bonnie (Allison Janney), both sober, and their support system from Alcoholics Anonymous. It also stars Jaime Pressley, Mimi Kennedy, Beth Hall, William Fichtner, and Kristen Johnson.

Anna Faris Allison Janney Mom Christy Bonnie

(Robert Voets / 2020 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.)

“From the inception of Mom, Anna was the first and only choice for the role of Christy,” WBTV, CBS, and Chuck Lorre Productions said in a statement. “We are so proud of the stories we have been able to tell during Anna’s seven years with us. We wish Anna all the best, and we thank her for her beautiful portrayal.”

Mom was part of CBS’ initial fall schedule, and filming is set to start on September 14. “Based on our current timeline, we hope to start rolling out our previously announced fall series as they become available in November,” Kelly Kahl, President, CBS Entertainment, recently said.

Mom, Season 8, TBA, CBS




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  1. W

    wolverine1070

    I don't see the show lasting for much longer. Maybe one more season after this. Christy is just too important to the show. I think Anna Faris is making a big mistake. Few actors make as much as they do on a top rated sitcom and most who leave before they have to regret it eventually. Hard to imagine what 'other projects' she could so that would be as rewarding, either financially or as to the impact they have on an audience.

    27 1

  2. C

    CyanStrawberry

    No, I wish Anna wasn't leaving Mom, it won't be the same without her😌

    13 1

  3. G

    GoldBlowdryer

    I can't believe these people!!!! They don't think about the other cast members, just foolishly looking out for herself. She wants to go on to bigger and better things, for the money!!! I love the show MOM, and I think she should be replaced instead of explaining her absence. Some of these stars, seem to think they can't be replaced. NO ONE is that important.

    11 4

    1. O

      Olive8Ball

      Though this is surprising it’s not really shocking. Ana Faris has really been a drag on the show this past season. She’s been brought in for one-liners and has really been less than Wendy in terms of her presence and value add. The mom in this series has really become Bonnie over the past two years especially this last one. Not to mention Christy’s character is a terrible mother and quite childish. I think bc they’ve tamped down her presence the past season her absence will be super easy to take.

      9 2

  4. G

    GreenTurtle

    I think Bonnie makes the show, not Christy. Just don't kill her off. That would be too many shows of sadness. Replacing people doesn't always work either. One of my favorite shows so we'll see.

    6

  5. R

    RedCarrot

    While I love the show and I think I can survive without her character, I wish she would have given earlier notice so that they could give her character a proper send off instead of just being written off between seasons. I truly hope they don't kill off her character and she agrees to come back as recurring for what is now likely to be the final season.

    6

  6. G

    GreenBee

    I say forget Violet. The Violet character was a drag. She was unforgiving and too hard on Christy (mom). I am sorry that Anna Faris is leaving, I would have loved for the writers to have found her a man.. totally doable. I will continue watching as Allison Janney was the original draw for me. Love, love Allison Janney; I have never seen a part that she is playing that I didn't like. (Same with Presley and Johnson). My favorites from this and other sitcoms/movies; Jamie Pressley, Kristen Johnson, Mimi Kennedy, and William Fichter. Beth Hall, I was not familiar with until this show, but she has great timing. Also the young woman who plays Violet is a very good actress with great depth (have seen her in other things) just don't like the Violet character to replace Christy.

    2

  7. G

    GreenPlane

    Yeah they really trashed her character. She's basically just a lonely woman punchline. Idky they did that. Her character was super interesting and have potential for amazing character arc.

    1

  8. G

    GreenPlane

    To be honest, I kinda agree with Anna on this decision. They made her character a "can't find a man" one-line each episode side character. She's probably not even fun to play anymore.

    I don't really know why the writers gave up on her character. Her and Bonnie were the backbone of the show and yes the side characters are some of the best in a show, their relationship was the show. The show is great but becoming a bit too sitcomy where they had a stronger layer of depth in the drama aspects.

    2 1

  9. O

    OrangeBottle

    Have Violet replace Christy.

    6 5

  10. O

    OliveProcessor

    I think the show will not be the same. The program was called MOM Christy was the mom.first they got rid of Christys daughter and son, killed off her farther.the program is going down hill probably be last season.

  11. G

    GreenBee

    Yes, Wendie Malick, another favorite of mine. As the ex-wife. She is wonderful... Just Shoot Me, Reba, Hot in Cleveland, and lots of other stuff. It was really nice to see her in that step in role (ex-wife). They (Mom) has had some great/talented step-ins... Linda Lavin and Chris Pratt just to name a couple I can think of.

  12. C

    CyanPopcorn

    I see shades of NYPDBLUE I cannot remember the actors name. he did have an ok come back on NCIS MIami AH YES David Caruso

  13. L

    Laurel Nevans

    So are they going to say she's with Violet and Roscoe? And Rudy the Chef? 😉

    Guess she'll transfer to a better law school out of state, or just be too busy to come to meetings anymore. 😉

  14. N

    Nat

    ☹️

  15. R

    RedCarrot

    The closest comparison I can think of is when Jean Stapelton left All in the Family and the show morphed into Archie Bunker's Place. The similarities are actually kinda eerie. A long running show loses one of its main co-stars and it transitions into a show centered around Bonnie and Adam and running their bar while still featuring some of the supporting actresses as employees. Throw in a new young woman of color as the new waitress finding her way and you've got an entirely new show.

    1

  16. R

    RedBone

    It would be different. I liked tv show mom and I do liked when they talked about Adam and his family. From Where He got the support THAT'S was Cool . His ex wife one did reba . Comdy she's good that's a yes for me. It's a same field yes

    2

  17. G

    GoldLeaf

    Just replace her. Is Kelly Ripa available?

    3