TV & Movies
Kaley Cuoco Would “Absolutely” Reprise Her Big Bang Theory Role
“I owe a lot to that character.”
Kaley Cuoco is reflecting on one of her career-defining roles. In a new interview with People, the actor recalled starring in the hit CBS sitcom The Bing Bang Theory, in which she played Penelope “Penny” Hofstadter — a character she would “absolutely” reprise.
“I spent 12 years playing that role, and it really set off my career,” she told the magazine. “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.”
When asked if she’d consider playing the character again, The Flight Attendant star responded, “100%. I love that character, and I always will. I would absolutely reprise that role.”
The Big Bang Theory, which centered on a group of science-obsessed friends in Pasadena, California, premiered in September 2007. It aired for 12 seasons, reaching its conclusion in 2019.
“It was a great job,” Cuoco told Variety in 2021, while also paying tribute to castmates Jim Parsons, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, and Johnny Galecki. “It was a feel-good silly show, and these guys really were the heart of it. They made the nerd thing cool and popular and sexy and fun. ... I really loved my time on it.”
The sitcom won 10 Emmy Awards throughout its run and spawned the spinoff prequel series Young Sheldon, based on the childhood of Parson’s character, Sheldon Cooper. The success of Young Sheldon led to another spinoff, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, which premiered Oct. 17.
One Co-Star Isn’t Down For A Reboot
Cuoco isn’t the only cast member who’s discussed the possibility of a reboot. On the Oct. 11 episode of Who's Talking to Chris Wallace?, Parsons was asked about his thoughts on a future revival — and he’s not convinced by the idea.
“I never say never to anything, because life just changes so much,” he said. “One of the things is that it was so special as what it was and what it is. And they call it lightning in a bottle for a reason, and you can be certain it wouldn’t be that. And so why would we be doing it?”
