For years, fans have wondered why Anna Faris suddenly walked away from one of television’s most successful sitcoms. Now, nearly six years after her departure, the actress is finally shedding some light on what happened behind the scenes. Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Faris reflected on her seven-season run as Christy Plunkett on the hit CBS sitcom Mom and admitted that while she loved the show, the demanding schedule eventually began to take a toll on her.
“I do think the intensity, towards the end, I think I started to lose my focus,” Faris revealed, describing her time on the series as a marathon rather than a sprint.
The actress, who starred alongside Allison Janney from 2013 to 2020, made it clear that there was no dramatic fallout behind her departure. In fact, she repeatedly praised the experience, calling the cast brilliant and the project amazing. However, she acknowledged that committing to a network sitcom for years was unlike anything she had ever experienced before.
“I never had a job besides waitressing for over three months before,” she admitted.
That comment may explain why Mom became such a unique chapter in Faris’ career. Before the sitcom, she was primarily known for films like Scary Movie, The House Bunny, Just Friends, and What’s Your Number?, often moving from project to project rather than committing to one role for nearly a decade.
When podcast host Josh Horowitz asked whether the demanding filming schedule played a role in her exit, Faris described it as “a complicated time” but stopped short of revealing every detail. She hinted that she may discuss the situation more openly in the future.
Interestingly, Faris also explained why she signed onto Mom in the first place. As Hollywood changed and movie opportunities became less predictable, she began looking for something more stable.
“I didn’t think that the movie landscape looked wide open at all,” she said. “An avenue to longevity in Hollywood could be comedy.”
That decision ultimately paid off. Mom became one of CBS’ biggest comedies, earned critical acclaim, and helped showcase Faris’ dramatic and comedic range alongside Janney’s award-winning performance.
Even years after leaving the series, Faris says fans continue to approach her about Mom, something she doesn’t take for granted.
“I feel really moved that I’ve touched lives,” she said.
While fans may never get a complete behind-the-scenes explanation for her departure, one thing is clear: Faris didn’t leave because she stopped caring about the show. If anything, her latest comments suggest that after seven demanding years, she simply reached a point where she needed a new chapter.
And judging by the affection she still has for Mom, it’s a chapter she’ll always be proud of.