Johnny Galeckisaw his costars “emotionally crumble” when they learnedThe Big Bang Theorywould be canceled afterJim Parsonsdecided season 12 would be his last.
Parsons, 49, believed it “was not out of the realm of possibility” forBig Bangto continue without him, according to Jessica Radloff’soral history bookThe Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series.
However, showrunner Steve Molaro said, “There was never a question about continuing on without him. The show was this ensemble and the thought of doing some strange version without him didn’t seem right.”
Jordin Althaus/Warner Bros.
With the future of the show decided, Molaro and Lorre called a meeting to inform the cast. Lorre gaveParsonsthe floor to share he was exiting the series, then stepped back in to break the news that he “didn’t want to see a path forward with anybody leaving the show.”
Cuoco acknowledged, “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 looked at Chuck and said, ‘What are we going to do?’ I couldn’t breathe. It just felt like a death, but also a new horizon for everybody as well.”
Michael Yarish/Warner Bros.
TheRoseannealum added that he was “kind of losing it” over seeing his friends and colleagues “emotionally crumble upon hearing the news,” adding it was “tearing me to shreds watching Kaley break down and see the tears from everyone.”
That said, Galecki did agree continuing the show with Parsons was not an option.
“I don’t think I could have performed in the way I wanted to, or would want to, if we did continue. I was done myself, I think. I didn’t really know how to serve the character or the great writing anymore,” he explained. “But none of us — the actors, writers — were comfortable with doing the show without one of us. And we absolutely would not continue on without Jim.”
Kunal Nayyar, who played Raj Koothrappali,said he had “a very physical reaction in my body” upon learning of the show’s cancellation.
Melissa Rauch, who played Bernadette Rostenkowski Wolowitz, said the meeting was a “vulnerable moment” for Parsons.
“As someone who I love and care about, I saw how difficult it was for him as he was telling us how he felt,” she shared. “But Jim was so sweet about it and spoke from the heart, and it was totally understandable that he was ready to move on.”
Monty Brinton/CBS
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The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Seriesis available now everywhere books are sold.
source: people.com
