Jennifer Aniston has reportedly exited Apple’s series inspired by Jennette McCurdy’s bestselling memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died.
Sources with direct knowledge told TMZ that scheduling conflicts led Aniston to withdraw from the 10-episode dramedy. She had been set to play the domineering mother of an 18-year-old actress working on a popular children’s show.
Aniston was also announced as an executive producer through her Echo Films company when Apple ordered the series in 2025.
TMZ described her as out of the project but did not specify whether her reported departure ends every producing commitment as well as the acting role.
Aniston Reportedly Withdrew While Scripts Were Being Written
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Aniston was the first and only cast member publicly announced for the project. Apple described her character as a narcissistic mother whose identity is closely tied to her daughter’s success as a child performer.
The role was inspired by McCurdy’s relationship with her late mother, Debra, but the show was announced as a fictionalized series rather than a scene-by-scene dramatization of the memoir. Its central story follows the codependent relationship between the young actress and her controlling mother.
The actress continues to star in and executive produce Apple’s The Morning Show and has several projects in development through Echo Films.
The Series Remains in Development Without a Replacement Star
McCurdy and Ari Katcher were announced as the show’s writers, co-showrunners and executive producers. The original producing team also included Sharon Horgan and Stacy Greenberg for Merman, LuckyChap Entertainment, Jerrod Carmichael and Erica Kay.
Aniston’s departure leaves the production searching for a new performer for its most prominent adult role. No actor has been announced for the 18-year-old protagonist, and Apple has not disclosed a production start or release window.
The memoir, published in 2022, recounts McCurdy’s experiences with childhood fame, disordered eating and the physical and emotional abuse she said she endured from her mother. Its mixture of painful personal history and dark humor made the tone of the adaptation a particularly sensitive creative decision.
Jason Reitman Previously Left Over Reported Creative Differences
The project had already lost filmmaker Jason Reitman during development. An August 2025 Puck report said Reitman had been developing the pilot but left following creative disagreements with McCurdy over the show’s tone.
According to the report, Reitman favored a more comedic approach than McCurdy wanted. Apple had never formally announced him as the director, and neither Reitman nor McCurdy publicly detailed their reported disagreement. The series has not been canceled, and sources said writers are continuing to develop the scripts.