Jaime Pressly Details Time on Mom Amid Anna Faris, Chuck Lorre Drama

Sasha Wayman,Jennie Ekpa Sat, October 17, 2026 at 10:39 PM UTC

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Originally appeared on E! Online

For Jaime Pressly, working on Mom was not just another acting credit.

After the show’s creator Chuck Lorredissed Pressly’s former costarAnna Faris’ casting in the show, the Not Another Teen Movie actress—who appeared on the sitcom across seven seasons—shared insight into her time working on the series.

“I was there for seven years, but there [were] eight seasons,” Pressly—who played Jill Kendall in the show—exclusively told E! News at the Alice + Olivia breast cancer event Oct. 16, which raised proceeds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. “I came on in the second season, but I had seven wonderful years of working with an incredible crew and an incredible cast of women, who were, all of us, just as beautifully flawed as our characters on the show were.”

And it was those costars—which also included Allison Janney, Mimi Kennedy and Beth Hall—that made the experience so special.

“And I think I just really thoroughly enjoyed being able to go to work with girlfriends every day,” she added. “All of us of a certain age, it was nice. It was refreshing.”

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But they haven’t been the only stars to leave a mark on Pressly over the years. Indeed, the My Name Is Earl actress also touched on her time working with costars Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts and Sarah Paulson in All’s Fair.

“I had the best time,” she explained. “Kim's a sweetheart and working with Naomi Watts, who I worked with most, she's a love. I fell in love with her and I know that when you watch the show, they're all intimidating because that's what they're supposed to be, but they are all some of the sweetest, most generous women.”

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Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for ALICE + OLIVIA

Pressly’s comments come after Lorre wrote in his new memoir Sitcom that Faris’ departure from Mom in 2020 validated his initial doubts about casting her.

“I wasn’t sure Anna would be appropriate for this kind of material,” Lorre explained in his book. "Then I thought about how badly I’d bungled my working relationship with CharlieSheen.”

“As the years went by, it became apparent that my initial reluctance to hire Anna was, in fact, correct,” he continued. “After six years, she left the show for mysterious reasons that were not mysterious to anyone on the show.”

Shortly after the revelation, Faris—mom to son Jack, 14, with ex-husband Chris Pratt—addressed his comments.

Photo by Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images

“Of course it hurts,” Faris wrote on Instagram Oct. 15. “Chuck gave me a job I loved, and for seven years I never took a day of it for granted. I'm proud of what we made together, and nothing changes how grateful I am for those people and those years.”

And seemingly in response to Lorre’s comments about her struggling behind-the-scenes, the 49-year-old explained how she’s made personal strides after portraying recovering alcoholic Christy Plunkett on the show, which premiered in 2013.

“I've been sober for a year and a half,” she continued. “I was on a show about recovery and then I lived it. Now I'm healthy, I'm working, and I'm happier than I've been in a long time.”

But Faris isn’t the only star to walk away from a hit show. Keep reading for more actors who shocked fans with their departures…

Gregg Sulkin, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place

In theWizards of Waverly Placespinoff's shocking series finale,Selena Gomez's Alex Russo reunited with teen love Mason Greyback (Sulkin)—only to reveal a devastating twist.Greyback revealed his character died during the August 2026 episode, then his ghost filled in the gaps on what Alex has been up to in the years since his passing."You have a whole other life, Alex," he told her. "You got married. You have a beautiful daughter. And she needs you. That’s the life that you’re meant to live. You have to go back."Danny Booko & Nia Sanchez, The Valley

The couple announced that the third season ofThe Valleywill be their last following a tumultuous season during which Danny’s drinking habits were questioned and he was accused of acting inappropriately while drinking.“We’re incredibly grateful for this experience,” Danny and Nia—who share sonAsher, 4, twinsIsabelleandZariah, 3, andAdelaide, 15 months—wrote intheir September 2026 statementshared to social media, “but our priority is protecting our peace and our family. We are fully committed to each other and our beautiful children.”Joe Miñoso, Chicago Fire

The OneChicago fanbase was shocked when news broke in July 2026 that Miñoso, who has portrayed firefighter Joe Cruz since the show debuted in 2012,would be leaving the NBC dramaduring its upcoming 15th season.Fabien Frankel, House of the Dragon

The world of fire and ice featured another gruesome casualty as Ser Criston Cole was killed in the Riverlands during theGame of Thronesspinoff's July 26, 2026, episode.LaRoyce Hawkins, Chicago P.D.

In July 2026, E! News learned that Hawkins—who has portrayed Officer Kevin Atwater since the NBC drama debuted in 2014—wasleaving the show after 13 seasons.Tom Jones, The Voice UK

The "It's Not Unusual" singer claimed he was fired from his coaching position after 13 seasons over "financial difficulty with insurance."“To be clear, I did not want to leaveThe Voiceas l love the show and really appreciate the audience. ITV made this decision—obviously a while ago, and I was told just recently," Jones wrote onInstagramin September 2026. "They are offering a much-reduced role where I would make an appearance but without being actually involved from the start, and I’m not thrilled about that."Reid Scott, Law & Order

E! News confirmed in July 2026 that Scott—who has portrayed Detective Vincent Riley since the the long-running NBC crime drama's 23rd season—would leave during show's upcoming 26th season.Zach Gilford, Criminal Minds: Evolution

The Paramount+ drama's season 19 finale, released July 23, confirmed the longtime star will not be returning for season 20 after his character Elias Voit was locked up in prison for a murder he took the blame for."It was hard to say goodbye," Gilford toldUs Weeklyof his exit. "It definitely was one of my favorite characters I’ve ever gotten to play and partially because what a gift. Every season I got to do a different side of this character. It wasn’t like I was just doing the same thing every year."Amanda Batula, Summer House

Days afterWest Wilsonconfirmed hisSummer Houseexit, news broke that Amanda, who has been a main cast member of the Bravo series since season two,will also not be returning for season 11amid the fallout from their bombshell romance.West Wilson, Summer House

After his secret love affair withAmanda Batulanearly destroyed the cast friend group dynamic following season 10, it was no shocker thatWest walked away from the scandal(and the series) in June 2026 just weeks before season 11 was set to start filming.Bridget Regan, The Rookie

The Rookie's corrupt lawyer Monica Stevens was no novice when it came to escaping death. "She's escaped multiple assassinations," actressBridget Reganrecounted toTV Insiderof her character's four-season journey, "and prison time and being thrown in a woodchipper."So when the attorneymet her endon an April 2026 episode, "I wasn’t surprised," Regan noted. "I thought, 'Fair enough.' She’s had an amazing run, four years on this show. I’m only filled with gratitude."Whitney Leavitt, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives

After making her big break onDancing With the Starsand landing a starring role inChicagoand Broadway, the Utah native announced season five of the hit Hulu reality show will be her last as she's moving on to other professional projects.Supriya Ganesh, The Pitt

Dr. Samira Mohan is checking out ofThe Pitt. ActressSupriya Ganeshwill not be returning for season three of the HBO Max drama,Varietyreported in April.The exit isn'tsoshocking to fans given that Ganesh's character has been planning to take on a new residency program at another medical center.Rocky Carroll, NCIS

The crime procedural said goodbyeto Director Leon Vance (played byRocky Carroll) in a March 2026 episode, 18 years after the leader's debut in season five. During the 500th episode, Vance was killed in a shooting with a corrupt agent and welcomed to heaven by late Chief Medical Examiner Donald "Ducky" Mallard (played byAdam Campbell).Mehcad Brooks, Law & Order

Mehcad Brooksshocked fans in 2025 when it was revealed he was leaving the NBC crime drama ahead of season 25.Brooks, who joined the show in 2022, portrayed Detective Jalen Shaw for three seasons.Kim Raver & Kevin McKidd, Grey's Anatomy

Kevin McKiddandKim Raver, who have played Dr. Owen Hunt and Dr. Teddy Altman respectively for nearly 20 years, shocked fans with news that they are leaving the medical drama, with their final episode being the season 22 finale May 7, 2026.Jenna Lyons, The Real Housewives of New York City

Jenna Lyonsannounced she will not be returning forThe Real Housewives of New York City's 16th season."The rumors …..Are true," the former J. Crew Creative Director wrote onInstagramin November 2025. "I was grateful to be asked to join season 16 ofRHONY'as a friend of '- knowing my personal life was not really available to be filmed, we agreed that made sense."The fashion icon—who joined the Bravo series for season 14 in 2022—explained that she later realized being a supporting castmember wasn't for her."And after thinking it through I have made the difficult decision not return to the show," she continued. "I would be the oldest and only openly gay woman on the show and feel like this is an opportunity for a new dynamic to emerge."Chrishell Stause, Selling Sunset

After nine seasons, the A-list realtor isdone selling mega-mansions on the Netflix reality show.“I’ve gotten to a place where I don’t need the show financially,” Chrishell announed in November via social media. “I’m lucky to have other forms of employment, because it’s no longer good for my mental health.”Jax Taylor, The Valley

Jax Taylorannounced he willnot be returning toThe Valleyfor season three amid growing concern from fans about his behavior during the show’s second season.“Right now, my focus needs to be on my sobriety, my mental health, and coparenting," the Bravo star—who is embroiled in a nasty divorce from estranged wifeBrittany Cartwright—shared in July 2025. "Taking this time is necessary for me to become the best version of myself—especially for our son,Cruz.”Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim & Devon Walker, Saturday Night Live

TheSaturday Night Livestars all announced within days of each other that they would not be returning for the sketch comedy series' 51st season.Longfellow and Walker each spent three seasons onSNLwhile Wakim exited after just one season.Heidi Gardner & Ego Nwodim, Saturday Night Live

Weeks after Longfellow, Walker and Wakim leftSNL, longtime fan-favorites Gardner and Nwodim also confirmed they would not be returning for season 51 after eight and seven seasons, respectively.Sofia Mattsson, General Hospital

Sofia Mattssonexited the long-running soap opera in summer 2025 after seven years playing Sasha Gilmore. Her character left Port Charles for Paris.Tracy Ifeachor, The Pitt

The PittstarTracy Ifeachorwalked away from the hit HBO Max series after the medical drama's breakout first season."It was an absolute privilege to play Dr. Heather Collins in such a groundbreaking season and piece," the actress posted on Instagram July 10. "Thank you to everyone who has watched & supported Season 1 & shared their stories with me."Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us

While fans maybe should have been aware that the days were numbered forPedro Pascal's Joel Miller, considering his April 2025 death was quite similar to how it unfolded inThe Last of Us Part II, the 2020 video game season two ofThe Last of Usis based on,the moment his character was brutally impaledstill stunned.Pascal, meanwhile, who also died onscreen inGame of ThronesandBuffy the Vampire Slayer, took his game over status in stride. "I get killed a lot," he joked toEntertainment Weekly. "I like to die."

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”