What the actors and actresses of 'The Big Bang Theory' are like now

Kunal Nayyar is living proof that the stars of 'The Big Bang Theory' have now completely left the show behind. All he had to do was grow a bushy beard and be arrested in the Netflix series 'Criminal: UK' and hey, presto! He looks like a completely different person. His Sandeep Singh is by far scarier than Raj Koothrappali ever was in the whole 12 seasons.

After playing Raj for 12 years, Kunal Nayyar has had no trouble at all finding new things to do, especially on Netflix. In addition to 'Criminal: UK', where he joined up with Kit Harington ('Game of Thrones'), he has also done a family comedy 'Think Like a Dog'.

On 19 May 2019, they broadcast the last of the 279 episodes of 'The Big Bang Theory'. There had been 12 seasons and an agreement to extend for two more - or so the cast and producers thought. That was until Jim Parsons declined the offer and decided to walk away from Sheldon Cooper forever.

Chuck Lorre, one of the show's creators, had previously assured fans that the series simply could not continue if any of the three main characters (Leonard, Sheldon or Penny) left the show. He kept his word. After more than a decade of playing the same characters, it was time to step out of their comfort zone and look for new acting challenges. So, where are the main characters of 'The Big Bang Theory'?

Sheldon Cooper was, from the first to the last episode of the series, the central character of 'The Big Bang Theory'. Adorable, unhinged, egomaniacal and unaware, Jim Parsons elevated his Sheldon character to become a legend of television history. Sheldon Cooper is a character that will be remembered for years to come.

On several occasions, Jim Parsons hit the record of being the highest-paid television actor in the world, having earned $25 million. In fact, a two-season renewal would have earned him and his co-stars $50 million apiece. But, Jim Parsons refused and, as he confessed on David Tennant's podcast, the death of his father and the health of one of his dogs were key elements in the decision.

With four Emmys behind him and the resounding respect of Hollywood, Jim Parsons was showered with offers, but the actor accepted those made to him by writer and producer Ryan Murphy (creator of 'Nip/Tuck' and 'Glee'). Netflix's creative guru gave Parsons the role of the powerful and manipulative agent Henry Wilson in 'Hollywood', Netflix's miniseries about the underbelly of the film industry.

It's not the only work he has done with Ryan Murphy, as he is also part of the cast of the film 'The Boys in the Band'. If that's not all, Jim Parsons also serves as executive producer of 'Call Me Kat', the series starring Mayim Bialik. In other words, Sheldon and Amy are still together in spirit.

Leonard, the geek who ended up winning Penny's heart, knew how to leave the limelight to Sheldon, but without underestimating the wonderful affect his character would have in the series. Halfway between geek and a romantic, Leonard was portrayed like a fish out of water, displaying all his insecurities - in the funniest way imaginable.

The same year the series ended, Johnny Galecki had a small role in 'A Dog's Journey'. And that was it. Well, two appearances in 'The Conners', the spinoff of 'Roseanne', and that's where his current curriculum stops. He has no projects in sight (as far as we are aware), except to enjoy a bursting bank account and his newly single status. The actor split with Alaina Meyer in December 2020, after their two year relationship came to an end.

After 12 seasons, the world still didn't know Penny's last name. The blonde neighbour who started out asking Leonard and Sheldon for her TV back, ended up being part of their family and she shone as one of the best comedy characters of the 21st century. This century's Rachel Green? Absolutely.

If anyone suffered the news of the end of 'The Big Bang Theory' it was Kaley Cuoco. During the entire last season, when it was already known that there would be no next season, she couldn't stop sharing videos and photos of every possible moment she could. Many of them showed a tearful eye. But this actress is not going to be short of work. She voices the infamous Harley Quinn in the series about the DC anti-heroine that HBO Maxx has renewed for a fourth season.

Interestingly, the first job post-'The Big Bang Theory' she got from.... herself! In 2017, Kaley Cuoco set up a production company and her first project was to adapt the novel 'The Flight Attendant'. Not only did she executive produce and star in its first eight episodes, but she also received the recognition she never got (and deserved) as Penny: a Golden Globe nomination. Of course, the series went beyond just one season.

Amy appeared for the first time in the third season of the series. Her chemistry with Sheldon and the story they had to tell made her a main character from the fourth season onwards, and she made it all the way to the end, with a wedding and a Nobel prize in between. A galactic signing for a galactic series.

Mayim Bialik took on the role of Amy in 'The Big Bang Theory' for 203 out of 279 episodes. That adds up to a lot of years filming alongside Jim Parsons. So it is understandable that the actor and now producer chose his friend to star in 'Call Me Kat'. The series tells the story of Kat, a woman who tries to prove to her mother that you can be happy without having everything you want.

On top of that, Mayim Bialik made a film that was based on her memories of a difficult childhood. The movie, 'As They Made Us', was released in 2022 and had a star cast including Dianna Agron, Simon Helberg, Candice Bergen, and Dustin Hoffman (image).

What's more, in what seemed a big career turnaround, Bialik decided to become the host of the iconic American quiz 'Jeopardy!' in 2021.

Yes, the Simon Helberg of Mayim Bialik's film is the same Simon Helberg who played Howard Wolowitz. A character who, once he had found his place, grew and took on a whole life of his own. A life that was always halfway between Raj and Bernadette. The genius sarcasm he was able to bring to the show should be studied.

After finishing the series, Simon Helberg has been taking it slow and steady. The first thing he gave a shot at was 'Annette', a musical directed by Leos Carax. Not a bad start - sharing the screen with Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard. After the musical, he took a leap into drama with Mayim Bialik's film 'As They Made Us.'

Like Amy, she arrived in the third season and stayed on as a regular character in the following seasons. Her chemistry with Howard was nothing short of brilliant. Their complicit glances, their banter as a couple, and their way of interacting were that of a couple who have been together for years. Perhaps that's the thing about a series that lasts 12 seasons.

Just like Jim Parsons, Melissa Rauch found a home at Netflix. The series 'The Laundromat' allowed her to join greats such as Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, Sharon Stone, and Antonio Banderas.

She has also dubbed a lot of animations, which is pretty logical if we remember the high-pitched voices she can produce. 'Robot Chicken', 'Animaniacs', and the film 'Cats & Dogs 3: Paws Unite' are among her animated projects. In addition, she provided the voice in 'Jeopardy!' where she thus worked together with her old friend Mayim Bialik.

Since January 2023, Melissa Rauch stars in the NBC sitcom 'Night Coart' - a remake of the successful 1980s comedy. A second season for the show has already been confirmed.