The Big Bang Theory: The Backstage Drama That Reportedly Led To The Show’s Ending, Main Cast’s Misunderstanding

Jessica Radloff’s book about The Big Bang Theory detailed one character’s decision to leave the show, ultimately leading to the series’ ending in 2019. This scene even created a backstage drama that affected the three main cast: Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, and Jim Parsons.

So, what happened behind the scenes of the final season of The Big Bang Theory? Read on.

Jim Parsons, Simon Helberg Thought of the Future After The Big Bang Theory

Before the final season’s production started, Parson had decided he wanted some change.

“I don’t think there was a part of me that actually thought I would do more seasons [of Big Bang] after the twelfth,” he said in the book The Big Bang Theory: The definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, via TVLine. “I was ready to… get out of the security of the show to fully find out what was next for me.”

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He told his castmate Simon Helberg, who played Howard Wolowitz, about it, and the latter was already contemplating his future after the show.

Helberg cleared that they didn’t mean the show would end abruptly at the time or it would continue with or without them, but things quickly escalated after Parsons talked to the show’s executive producers.

The Revelation

Parsons knew that it would be the last for him by the end of The Big Bang Theory Season 12 as nothing had come up about contracts. So, he talked to the showrunners Chuck Lorre and Steve Molaro.

After the read-through took place, he met the two the next day.

“There was never a question about continuing on without him,” Molaro said. “The show was this ensemble, and the thought of doing some strange version without him didn’t seem right.”

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Lorre and the then-Warner Bros. chairman and CEO Peter Roth discussed the issue with the CBS and WB executive.

After that, Lorre, Molaro, and showrunner Steve Holland met the whole cast and let Parsons talk without knowing.

“I got the feeling [Jim] was upset with me because maybe he thought I was going to lay out the future, but I didn’t think it was my place to do that,” Lorre explained. “So, he explained to them that he was ready to say goodbye at the end of Season 12.”

Lorre added he didn’t see the show without Sheldon or any of the cast, so it led to the series’ ending.

The Backstage Drama

There was a lot of crying at the time, especially Cuoco, who was afraid of what was next for her.

Galecki, on the other hand, was left blindsided, knowing Parsons didn’t talk to them about it to prepare them. He even thought they would be negotiating the contract then.

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With their feelings hurt, Cuoco said the next day that she couldn’t work because she was upset with Parsons. Galecki did the same, and the show’s first run-through was icy.

Thankfully, all’s well that ends well as they’ve settled their differences.

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