It’s not likely that the actors from The Big Bang Theory will ever be seen by fans as anything other than their characters. The series ended in 2019, yet remains extremely popular, although the actors have gone on to appear in other work since then.
While Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Melissa Rauch, and Mayim Bialik have been more active than Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, and Kunal Nayyar since the series finale, fans can still find all of them in some form of media. These range from comedy, drama, and thriller, and it’s interesting to find the actors in different roles to their parts in The Big Bang Theory.
Jim Parsons: The Boys In The Band
Starring in the film adaptation of the broadway play featuring performances from Matt Bomer, Zachary Quinto, and more, Jim Parsons played the lead in The Boys in the Band. The story sees Michael hosting a birthday party for his friend, but he and the guests have to deal with their severe personal issues.
These range from the characters struggling to come to terms with their sexuality, aging, and the topic of monogamy. The movie will be a treat for Jim Parsons fans as they’ll get to see their favorite actor in a dramatic setting.
Mayim Bialik: Call Me Kat
This American adaptation of the British sitcom Miranda has Mayim Bialik in the title role as Kat Silver. The premise has Kat navigate the newest challenge in her life of opening up a cat cafe after quitting her job as a college professor.
In addition to Kat’s workplace struggles, she has to contend with reentering the dating scene and realizes it’s not as easy as she thought. Mayim Bialik plays a much more lively character in Call Me Kat compared to The Big Bang Theory, and it’s worth checking the actress out in a lead role.
Kaley Cuoco: Harley Quinn
In this adult animation series based on DC’s Harley Quinn, the title character has to contend for herself for the first time in her life after realizing The Joker never loved her. It takes a long time, but Harley slowly turns from a villain into an equally crazy anti-hero who doles out justice her way.
Kaley Cuoco’s voice may be recognizable here, but her performance is something else entirely as she goes into foul-mouthed but hilarious territory with Harley Quinn. The series has been praised for its dark humor and likable characters that make full use of the comic book premise.
Kunal Nayyar: Criminal: UK
This police procedural anthology series has a unique setup of being set in an interrogation room where investigators attempt to get through criminals they have on hold. Kunal Nayyar appeared in the last episode of the second season, playing the antagonist.
In his appearance, his character was a convicted killer with whom the police attempted to bargain to receive vital information over the case. After his humorous turn as Raj, Nayyar will come across as unrecognizable to fans in this gritty role.
Melissa Rauch: The Laundromat
In what is one of director Steven Soderbergh’s overlooked efforts, The Laundromat is a biographical comedy-drama about the effects of money laundering and fraud on normal people. While Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, and Antonio Banderas are the main characters, Melissa Rauch appears sporadically as well.
Her character is the daughter of Streep, with both of them mourning the demise of the family’s patriarch and the resultant fiasco of the denial of their insurance. Although uneven in places, the movie is worth a watch for the subject matter.
Johnny Galecki: A Dog's Journey
The sequel to A Dog’s Purpose, this movie continues the pet’s story and spans multiple decades across many reincarnations of the dog. Starring Dennis Quaid as its original owner, the movie then shifts through a number of different owners, including the family of Johnny Galecki’s character whose death triggers the plot.
Galecki doesn’t have as big a role in the story, although his character, Henry’s presence is felt due to the lives of everyone else involved changing following his demise. It’s a real tearjerker of a film that has its own heartwarming quality.
Simon Helberg: Annette
As of writing, Annette hasn’t come out yet, but is the first appearance of Simon Helberg since The Big Bang Theory. The actor appears as a character known as The Conductor, who will be involved in the story of Henry and Ann, played by Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard.
The story is about stand-up comedian Henry and soprano Ann whose daughter Annette is born with a unique gift. Simon Helberg fans will particularly rejoice to know that Annette is a musical, meaning Helberg’s talents in the singing and performing department will be fully utilized in this epic.
Melissa Rauch: Cats & Dogs 3: Paws Unite!
The third entry in the family-comedy series has a new twist of Cats and Dogs being on the same page to fight a common enemy. Melissa Rauch voices the main cat agent, Gwen, who teams up with the dog agent, Roger.
It’s essentially a buddy cop spy action to appeal to younger demographics, which will do the trick in entertaining families. Rauch’s distinct voice goes well with Max Greenfield in the actors’ combined efforts as the lead characters.
Kaley Cuoco: The Flight Attendant
This mystery thriller has Kaley Cuoco in the role of Cassie Bowden, a flight attendant who wakes up in a hotel room unable to recollect the events that brought her next to the body of a passenger she’s hooked up with. Thus begins a race against time as Cassie looks to piece together what happened to clear her name.
The series has been so well received that fans have speculated if Cassie Bowden is better than Penny as Kaley Cuoco’s definitive character, with the role even garnering her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.
Jim Parsons: Hollywood
This ensemble miniseries on Netflix looks into the post-World War II landscape of cinema in Hollywood. Jim Parsons plays ruthless talent agent Henry Wilson who isn’t above seeking personal pleasures to grant favors to those he deems worthy.
Hollywood can have a convoluted story at times, due in part to having so many characters to showcase. Parsons is still a standout as the role is an unlikeable one, which goes to show the range the actor possesses.