Kunal Nayyar felt like there was no good reason for The Big Bang Theory to end. CBS' premier sitcom ended after 12 seasons, and its cancelation came as a surprise to many considering how popular the hit sitcom still was at the time. In fact, weeks before its finale was announced, a network executive revealed that The Big Bang Theory season 13 was being considered.
When The Big Bang Theory capped off, it was still a ratings champion for CBS. However, the decision was actually motivated by star Jim Parson's choice to exit the sitcom. After playing Sheldon Cooper for more than a decade, Parsons felt that they'd explored everything in terms of his character, and that it was simply time to move on. His co-stars were all willing to return for The Big Bang Theory season 13, but instead of moving forward with an incomplete cast, they all decided that it was best to wrap it up together, to deliver a satisfying finale for long-time fans.
In a new interview with Lorraine (via The Independent), promoting his new show, Suspicion, Nayyar said that he felt like there was really no good reason for ending The Big Bang Theory. The actor said that the show's wrap-up was simply down to "time," comparing it to breaking up with someone despite knowing that you still love them. And after almost three years since The Big Bang Theory went off the air, Nayyar admitted that he's still processing the end of the show. Read the actor's full comments below:
"Yeah, you know I often say for me, personally, ending Big Bang was like breaking up with the love of your life when you know nothing is wrong but it’s just time. That’s really what it felt like you know. I’m still processing what that entire journey was like. 279 episodes you know, I grew up on that show."
Despite an uneven final season 12, Big Bang Theory delivered an emotionally satisfying finale, especially for the Coopers. In it, Sheldon and Amy (Mayim Bialik) learned that they won the Nobel Prize in Physics, and their friends got to watch them accept the accolade in Sweden. Elsewhere, Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco) were revealed to be pregnant with their first child — a divisive creative decision, but a heartwarming one nonetheless. In the end, the Pasadena gang all went back to Apartment 4A to share a meal, like they always did. But while all his friends had significant character progressions, Raj was left single, which many fans found to be one of the show's biggest missed opportunities.
It's anybody's guess what else could've happened on The Big Bang Theory if it continued to season 13. Parsons seemed to be set on his decision to exit the show, however, and Nayyar's comments suggest that the actor is at peace with the decision the cast made, despite how sad it may be. It is possible that The Big Bang Theory could've thrived without Sheldon, and shifted its focus to other characters like Nayyar's Raj, but ultimately, the hit sitcom reached a natural conclusion and will remain as one of the most beloved shows ever.
Source: Lorraine (via The Independent)