Maura Tierney walks away from role in "Parenthood"

Maura Tierney is forced to relinquish her role in the NBC series, "Parenthood." It has been adapted from the 1989 Ron Howard film and is scheduled to premiere this fall. Tierney has appeared in such television shows as "NewsRadio" and "ER."

Back in July, NBC announced there would be a delay in production because she was then diagnosed with cancer. The delay lasted for eight weeks while she underwent medical evaluation. Even after finding a lump in her breast, BBC News reported that Tierney and her doctors "remain confident that the outcome of her treatments will be positive."

Had she stayed with the show she would have played alongside Peter Krause and Craig T. Nelson. According to the New York Times, NBC stated, "While we are saddened that Maura Tierney won't be able to continue in her current role in 'Parenthood,' our main concern is for her quick and full recovery. Our thoughts and best wishes are with her." NBC has already begun looking for a replacement so as not to push back the show's release date any further.