The Big Bang Theory franchise is now getting another spinoff of the original series, and people are naturally eager to know if the old main cast members will be reprising their roles. The untitled Big Bang Theory spinoff is expected to focus on Stuart (Kevin Sussman), with his girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus) and Caltech scientist Bert (Brian Posehn) also returning. While these three may be the main characters, there is still potential for others to join the regular cast, as well as a wider range of Big Bang Theory characters who could return in Stuart's spinoff.
Since The Big Bang Theory's ending, the cast members have branched out to other movies and TV roles, proving their versatility as actors after being primarily associated with the same roles for so long. However, they may still choose to return to their once-popular characters in a regular capacity if they miss working on The Big Bang Theory or even just make a cameo to please old fans. A few of them have even done this already, suggesting that they in particular are open to working on the new spinoff, even if they have not directly commented on it yet.
Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper)
Parsons Is Open To Playing Sheldon Again After Young Sheldon & Some Movies
Sheldon was once one of the three headliners of The Big Bang Theory, with the story and comedy being driven primarily by his dynamics with the two others. His return, particularly as a regular character, would be a huge deal when The Big Bang Theory ended largely because he did not want to renew his contract. However, Parsons recently gave an interview on Who's Talking To Chris Wallace? during which he expressed openness about returning to The Big Bang Theory. Parsons possibly teased his return by saying (via Deadline):
"As we sit here now, no, but I also I would I never say never to anything, because life just changes so much. You know, one of the things is that it was so special as what it was as what it is. And they call it lightning in a bottle for a reason, and you can be certain it wouldn’t be that."
Parsons kept things ambiguous, but "never say never." Meanwhile, Parsons has had a continued presence in The Big Bang Theory franchise, even while pursuing movie roles. He serves as a narrator throughout Young Sheldon before his physical appearance in the finale, offering tidbits about the character's current life. Since The Big Bang Theory, Parsons has worked on movies including Home and Hidden Figures, but hasn't seen a major breakthrough as a film actor.
Kaley Cuoco (Penny Hofstadter)
The Flight Attendant Star Says She "Owes A Lot" To Penny & The Big Bang Theory
Also offering a positive update about a Big Bang Theory return is Kaley Cuoco, who played Penny, the actress turned saleswoman who oddly understands Sheldon like no one else for the show's 12 seasons. After The Big Bang Theory, Cuoco had a short-lived but poignant role in the dark comedy of The Flight Attendant, while completing several other projects. Penny is also referenced in Young Sheldon's finale, while the entire original Big Bang Theory cast appears as younger versions of themselves in the spinoff's season 2 finale.
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Regarding the new show, Cuoco said (via PEOPLE): "[...] it really set off my career. I owe a lot to that character, to that show, to [creator] Chuck Lorre. It was some of the best years of my life, and some of the most fun I've ever had. I would absolutely reprise that role. 100%." So fans can probably count on her presence, which may come as a relief when updates about Penny's life are scarce. At the end of The Big Bang Theory, Penny is an expectant mother despite previous reservations about having children, has gone through several big career changes, and might consider moving.
Johnny Galecki (Leonard Hofstadter)
Completing the main Big Bang Theory trio, Sheldon's former roommate and Penny's husband has not commented on whether he would return in Stuart's spinoff. Uniquely, he might have the character who most needs to return, or at least be mentioned, to kill the "Leonard is dead" theory that arose in the wake of Young Sheldon's finale. While Leonard is a happy father-to-be when he is last seen, Galecki has done little acting since the end of the show. However, he also has a longer career than most of them, going back to being a child star in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
Kunal Nayyar (Raj Koothrappali)
Nayyar Is Apathetic About Returning To The Big Bang Theory, Busy With Other Projects
Raj arguably has the most open ending of the main Big Bang Theory cast, even compared to Stuart, who he often ended up sharing storylines with when they were the two single members of the group. However, while everyone else is in committed relationships with plans for kids or, in Stuart's case, a thriving business, Raj goes to the Nobel Prize ceremony solo and ends up sitting next to Sarah Michelle Gellar. Despite Raj's longtime desire to have what most of his friends have, a follow-up on whether he gets this may not be happening.
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A few months before Stuart's Big Bang Theory spinoff was announced, Kunal Nayyar said with regard to returning as Raj (via TVLine): "To be honest, it feels a little too soon. Can you do a [revival] only four years after your show ends? That’s not a reunion show; that's just another season. If [the spinoff] were to happen, we'll see what the universe says." Things are still up in the air with Nayyar when his comments are now complicated by the fact that a spinoff is happening. Meanwhile, Nayyar has done an impressive number of under-the-radar projects just in those four years.
Simon Helberg (Howard Wolowitz)
The Big Bang Theory's Resident Astronaut's Return Status Is Unknown
Simon Helberg has also so far remained silent on a potential Big Bang Theory return. While the show was still running, Helberg snagged a high-caliber movie role with Florence Foster Jenkins, starring alongside Meryl Streep. He has branched out into some other movies and TV shows since The Big Bang Theory, constituting mostly smaller supporting roles. However, Helberg did show up to lend his voice for a one-off narration alongside Parsons in an episode of Young Sheldon, suggesting that he is generally open to hearing about cameo opportunities. However, Howard's story in The Big Bang Theory was mostly over with his career and family settled.
Melissa Rauch (Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz)
Rauch Is In The Middle Of Another Big Bang Theory Reunion
While nothing is known about whether Melissa Rauch would reprise her role as Howard's wife and microbiologist Bernadette, the actress is currently in the middle of Night Court season 3's surprise Big Bang Theory reunion, with her, Nayyar, and Mayim Bialik all playing new roles alongside each other. In addition to winning her Night Court role, Rauch has taken some voice acting jobs since the end of the show. As of The Big Bang Theory finale, Howard and Bernadette have finally managed to get Stuart to move out, have two children, and are balancing work with parenting responsibilities.
Mayim Bialik (Amy Farrah Fowler)
Bialik Has Also Already Reprised Her Big Bang Theory Role Alongside Parsons
Bialik also appears as Amy, alongside a reflective Sheldon, at the end of Young Sheldon. While the Blossom actress hasn't commented on it directly, this suggests her general willingness to hear about Big Bang Theory cameo opportunities. From the ironic reference to her in season 1 to Amy's first on-screen appearance in season 3 to the character becoming one of the few women to have won a Nobel Prize in science, Amy sees a turbulent arc in the series.
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As of the finale of The Big Bang Theory, Amy has gotten a makeover, is a Nobel Prize winner, and is already talking about kids with Sheldon. Young Sheldon confirms that they have at least two children, a son and a daughter. Bialik hasn't done much since the end of the show, ironically aligning with Galecki, the other former child star of the cast. However, there are many possibilities to continue the characters' stories in future episodes, which might entice the actors into returning.
Source: Deadline, PEOPLE, TVLine
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is a media franchise that has expanded from the original titular TV show that follows a group of friends who live near and with one another as they attempt to bridge social gaps due to their geeky nature and further their scientific pursuits. The show eventually spun off with a TV special and a prequel series, Young Sheldon, which follows the origins of Sheldon Cooper and how he rose to become the brilliant physicist he is.
Created by Chuck Lorre , Bill Prady
Character(s) Leonard Hofstadter , Penny Hofstadter , Howard Wolowitz , Raj Koothrappali , Amy Farrah Fowler , Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz , Stuart Bloom
English (US) ·