Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco Explains Her Reaction After Learning Jim Parsons Was Leaving The Show

It’s not always easy leaving a job you’ve been doing for years, and Kaley Cuoco has opened up about when she learned one of her Big Bang Theory costars was making a game-changing decision. CBS’ mega-hit comedy only came to an end a couple years ago but Cuoco will always remember the day she found out the show was ending, and how confused and hurt she felt by it.

Kaley Cuoco, who was known for playing Penny on The Big Bang Theory, spoke to Variety about the show’s twelve seasons, as well as when she found out the show she had been on for over a decade would be coming to an end. The Flight Attendant star recalled how she and costar/on-screen husband Johnny Galecki were called into co-creator Chuck Lorre’s office at the beginning of Season 12, wondering if it would be about a 13th season. Cuoco explained:

Which Johnny and I had talked a lot about. Did we want to do it? And we really did.

However, that hope soon went away, as costar Jim Parsons, who played Sheldon Cooper, simply said he didn't think he could continue on. Kaley Cuoco remembered back at how shocked she was, as she was sure there was going to be another season. Cuco said:

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.’

Kaley Cuoco even mentioned that Chuck Lorre had said that they’re all for one and one for all and they’re not going to do this without the whole team, which, Cuoco states, is what happened. Cuoco explained:

That was the one thing we all agreed on — we came in together, we go out together.

The Big Bang Theory ran on CBS from 2007-2019 and became one of television’s most popular comedies. The show even spawned a spinoff, Young Sheldon, which is currently in its fourth season. And although Kaley Cuoco is currently killing it in HBO Max’s Golden Globe-nominated The Flight Attendant, she has said that nothing will ever compare to her time on The Big Bang Theory, and the memories she’s made on it. The experience, however, helps her separate from what she’s doing now, which is so different and new.

Although The Big Bang Theory has ended, it can currently be streamed in full on HBO Max, so you can still watch it in all its glory along with Kaley Cuoco's The Flight Attendant. Her new show scored a renewal for a second season, so even if it probably isn't going to get anywhere close to matching Big Bang's 12-season run, there is more of Cuoco as Cassie on the way.

Megan Behnke
Freelance TV News Writer

Passionate writer. Obsessed with anything and everything entertainment, specifically movies and television. Can get easily attached to fictional characters.