Maura Tierney Leaves NBC’s Parenthood

Maura Tierney has left NBC’s Parenthood due to her ongoing treatments for breast cancer. NBC had already pushed back the series from fall to midseason to give the star time to undergo treatments. While Tierney is expected to recover, her treatment plan conflicted with the production schedule for the dramedy.

The show received strong early critical buzz, thanks in part to Tierney’s performance as a single mom struggling to raise two teens. When her illness was disclosed in July, NBC opted to push the show and move midseason entry Mercy up to fall. NBC plans to recast Tierney’s role, which was the cornerstone of the ensemble show revolving around a large family in Northern California. Names on the producers’ wish list are said to include Marisa Tomei.

Parenthood, based on the 1989 movie, also stars Peter Krause, Craig T. Nelson, Dax Shepard, Bonnie Bedelia, Monica Potter, Erika Christensen and Sarah Ramos.