While actors are often relieved to hear the news of the end of a series they have worked on for many years due to a certain fatigue with the material and a desire to chase other challenges, there are also times when some find it difficult to part ways with a production. This was the case with Kaley Cuoco, who was not prepared for the imminent end of The Big Bang Theory after 12 seasons.
During an interview with Variety, Cuoco talked about the day she learned that The Big Bang Theory would soon come to an end.
Jim said, “I don’t think I can continue on”. And I was so shocked that I was literally like, “Continue on with what?”. Like, I didn’t even know what he was talking about. I looked at Chuck: “Wow. I thought we were — I’m so blown away right now”. That was the one thing we all agreed on — we came in together, we go out together.
In the book The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, the actress recounted that she thought there would be another season of TBBT just before she learned of the ending (via People). She was terrified of what would come next.
The shock of “Oh my god, what is next?” was scary. I mean, we cried for hours that day. We thought we were going to do another year, so all of the sudden your life kind of flashes before your eyes. I couldn’t breathe. It just felt like a death, but also a new horizon for everybody as well.
The showrunner of The Big Bang Theory, Steve Molaro, revealed that Kaley Cuoco did not want to return to the set after learning that they were working on the final season. They eventually managed to convince her to change her mind, but the atmosphere on set between the actors was reportedly tense.
I got a text that morning from Kaley saying she didn’t know if she could work that day because she was still really upset. Upset with Jim. The first run-through back was kind of icy and none of them were talking between scenes, but everyone was professional.
This situation was difficult not only for Cuoco. Johnny Galecki, too, was surprised by all this and resented Jim Parsons for not talking to them earlier about his plans and preparing them for the bad news.
I was shocked. We were just blindsided that day. And not necessarily shocked by Jim’s decision, but that he hadn’t had that conversation with his cast mates first to prepare us. So yes, it could have been handled better. We’re a family; have a conversation.
That is, it was not only for fans that parting with The Big Bang Theory was difficult. The cast, too, was very much affected by the fact that the series had to come to an end, even if there were episodes they didn't like. However, it had to happen at some point, and TBBT can still boast a long life on the air, given that as many as 12 seasons of the production were made.
