The Definitive Answer: How Many Seasons Of The Groundbreaking Sitcom 'Mom' Are There?

Eight seasons. The critically acclaimed and often heart-wrenching CBS sitcom Mom ran for a total of eight seasons, delivering a powerful blend of comedy and drama centered on themes of addiction, recovery, and family dysfunction. The show, which premiered in September 2013 and concluded its run in May 2021, solidified its place as one of the most successful and important network comedies of the decade, tackling sensitive issues with humor and grace.

As of December 11, 2025, the series remains complete with its eight-season run, totaling approximately 170 episodes that chronicle the complex relationship between a recovering addict mother and her equally troubled daughter. The show is a testament to the power of the 12-step program and the enduring bonds of a support group, making its full run a must-watch for fans of sharp, character-driven comedy.

Series Profile: Cast, Run Dates, and Thematic Focus

Mom was created by Chuck Lorre, Eddie Gorodetsky, and Gemma Baker, and was notable for its shift from a traditional multi-camera sitcom format to one that embraced serialized storytelling and mature, often dark, subject matter.

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• Total Seasons: 8
• Total Episodes: Approximately 170 episodes.
• Original Network: CBS
• Premiere Date: September 23, 2013
• Series Finale Date: May 13, 2021
• Main Thematic Focus: Alcoholism, drug addiction, recovery, dysfunctional family dynamics, the 12-step program, and poverty.

The Core Cast and Characters

The show’s success was largely due to its stellar ensemble cast, which featured some of the sharpest comedic and dramatic actors in television. The show's central relationship was between a mother and daughter struggling to stay sober.

• Allison Janney as Bonnie Plunkett: The matriarch, a sarcastic, narcissistic, and fiercely resilient recovering alcoholic and drug addict. Janney won an Emmy for her role.
• Anna Faris as Christy Plunkett: Bonnie’s daughter, a newly sober single mother and waitress striving to rebuild her life and pursue a law degree.
• Mimi Kennedy as Marjorie Armstrong-Perugian: A wise, long-term member of the AA group who becomes a mentor to Bonnie and Christy.
• Jaime Pressly as Jill Kendall: A wealthy, emotionally fragile member of the AA group who struggles with various addictions and life crises.
• Beth Hall as Wendy Harris: A sweet, often overlooked, but surprisingly sharp member of the support group and registered nurse.
• William Fichtner as Adam Janikowski: Bonnie’s husband, a former stuntman who is wheelchair-bound.
• Kristen Johnston as Tammy Diffendorf: Bonnie’s childhood friend who reconnects with the group after being released from prison.

The Season-by-Season Breakdown: How Many Episodes Per Season?

While the total number of seasons is eight, the episode count varied slightly across the run, which is common for a long-running network sitcom. The series delivered a massive amount of content for fans to binge, totaling 170 episodes.

Here is the full breakdown of the show’s eight seasons and their respective episode counts:

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1. Season 1 (2013–2014): 22 Episodes
2. Season 2 (2014–2015): 22 Episodes
3. Season 3 (2015–2016): 22 Episodes
4. Season 4 (2016–2017): 22 Episodes
5. Season 5 (2017–2018): 22 Episodes
6. Season 6 (2018–2019): 22 Episodes
7. Season 7 (2019–2020): 20 Episodes
8. Season 8 (2020–2021): 18 Episodes

The slightly shorter episode count for the final two seasons was influenced by factors including the COVID-19 pandemic and the major cast change that occurred before the final season began. The consistency of 22-episode seasons for the first six years is a hallmark of a major network success.

The Shocking Exit and The End of the Show

One of the most talked-about events in the series’ history was the surprising departure of lead actress Anna Faris (Christy Plunkett) just before the eighth and final season. Faris announced in September 2020 that she would not be returning to the show, citing a desire to pursue new opportunities.

This decision meant the eighth season had to pivot, focusing entirely on Allison Janney's character, Bonnie, and the extended support group. The show's writers handled Christy’s exit with a hopeful and poignant storyline that honored her journey.

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How Christy Plunkett Was Written Off

In the Season 8 premiere, the show revealed that Christy Plunkett had received a full scholarship to Georgetown Law School in Washington D.C. This send-off was a perfect culmination of her character's long-running ambition to better her life and escape the cycle of addiction and poverty that had plagued her family for generations. The storyline allowed the series to continue its focus on recovery while providing a positive, aspirational conclusion for one of its main characters, even if she wasn't physically present.

The Reason for the Cancellation

Despite being a critical darling and a solid performer for CBS, the network announced in February 2021 that the eighth season would be the last. While the exact reasoning is often complex, the decision was made by CBS, not the production company. The show had been a veteran comedy for the network, and the departure of co-lead Anna Faris may have been a contributing factor to the final decision to conclude the series.

The series finale, "A Community Hero and a Wide Turn," aired on May 6, 2021, and provided a fitting and emotional conclusion, with Bonnie embracing her sobriety and her new life with Adam, surrounded by her found family from the AA group.

The Legacy of ‘Mom’ and Its Topical Authority

The eight seasons of Mom cemented its legacy as a trailblazing sitcom. Unlike many comedies, it refused to shy away from the dark realities of addiction and recovery. The show was praised for its ability to seamlessly transition from sharp, witty humor to genuinely moving, dramatic scenes, often within the same episode.

The series generated significant topical authority on subjects like:

• The 12-Step Program: Providing an accurate and respectful portrayal of AA meetings and the principles of recovery.
• Mental Health: Exploring depression, grief, and the emotional toll of addiction on individuals and families.
• Female Friendships: Showcasing the powerful, non-biological family unit formed by the women in the support group (Bonnie, Marjorie, Jill, Wendy, and Tammy).
• Redemption: The overarching theme that it is never too late to turn one's life around, regardless of past mistakes.

In its eight seasons, Mom proved that a sitcom could be both hilarious and deeply meaningful, leaving behind a body of work that continues to resonate with viewers today.