The Big Bang Theory wrapped in 2019 but it still continues to remain at the top of streaming charts thanks to its endless rewatchability and the fandom’s strong love for it. But it’s been five whole years since the series bid farewell, and the cast you grew to adore as quirky scientists and their friends have all moved on to exciting new projects. Wondering what TV’s most beloved geniuses and Penny are doing now? Here’s a look at the main cast of The Big Bang Theory and what they’re up to now:
Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper)
The Big Bang Theory may have ended, but Jim Parsons was not ready to bid farewell to Sheldon Cooper. Even before the sitcom wrapped, Parsons stepped into a new role behind the scenes as executive producer of its hit prequel series Young Sheldon, where he continued to lend his voice as the narrator, guiding viewers through Young Sheldon’s entertaining antics. Even though Young Sheldon doesn’t see Jim Parsons on screen until the finale, it’s the closest connection fans of the show have to the original sitcom.
Now, if you want to actually see him in action, then you should check out the retro series Hollywood where he plays Henry Willson, a highly unlikable and predatory talent agent. Parsons also starred and produced The Boys in the Band, a Netflix readaptation of the popular Broadway play, where he reprised his stage role as Michael. The movie follows him and a group of other gay friends reuniting for a birthday in the 1960s. Both of these series are great picks for fans of period dramas and movies.
Kaley Cuoco (Penny Hofstadter)
Penny’s acting career may not have been very successful, but real life star Kaley Cuoco has gone on to build a pretty impressive resume even after the series wrapped. Cuoco branched into darker, more complex, and critically acclaimed roles with making her first big splash as Cassie, a chaotic flight attendant who wakes up next to a dead body, in HBO’s thriller comedy The Flight Attendant. If you enjoy dark thrillers you should also check out her latest series Based on A True Story. In this show Cuoco stars as Ava, a pregnant woman who starts a true crime podcast with her husband only to end up entangled in a complicated web with a real life serial killer.
If you prefer to watch something lighter, Meet Cute is an interesting choice. Cuoco stars opposite Pete Davidson in this offbeat comedy about a woman who uses a time machine to recreate the perfect first date with Gary, to convert him into the man of her dreams.
Johnny Galecki (Leonard Hofstadter)
After years of playing the exasperated yet endearing Leonard Hofstadter, Johnny Galecki took a much-needed break from acting to focus on his family and personal life, enjoying some well-deserved time away from the spotlight after the long run of The Big Bang Theory. However, he hasn’t completely disappeared from the screens, he did reprise his role as David Healy from Roseanne, in its spin off series The Conners. His return marked a nostalgic callback for fans who remembered him from the original series, before he became Leonard.
Aside from this, and a couple of other cameos, he’s kept his projects largely behind the scenes, investing in indie films and developing new comedies. He remains a beloved part of TV history but has chosen a more low-key Hollywood presence. If you prefer to watch something that captures his comedic warmth as a kid, you can revisit his appearances on Roseanne or his supporting role in the Christmas classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Kunal Nayyar (Rajesh ‘Raj’ Koothrappali)
Kunal Nayyar broke away from his quirky, romantic Raj persona with a chilling, against-type role inCriminal: UK, earning a BAFTA TV Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. It’s an intense crime-drama that’ll appeal to fans of gripping, character-driven thrillers. If you enjoy high-stake thrillers and crime investigations, you should also check out Midnight In the Switchgrass, a crime-thriller movie starring Nayyar alongside Hollywood heavyweights Bruce Willis and Megan Fox. If you’re looking for something more lighthearted and family friendly, you can opt for the Trolls movies, where he lent his voice to the glitter-loving troll, Guy Diamond.
Simon Helberg (Howard Wolowitz)
Simon Helberg’s filmography is just as eccentric, varied, and loveable as his character Howard Wolowitz’s personality in The Big Bang Theory. Since the series ended, he’s taken on a range of projects highlighting his comedic timing, musical talent, and distinctive range as an actor. One of his most notable roles comes alongside Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard in the surreal musical drama, Annette, which is a must watch for fans of art house cinema. If you miss his absurd and quirky humour in The Big Bang Theory, you’ll thoroughly enjoy his memorable, over-the-top performance in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, perfect for fans of who love satirical movies, funny music, and Weird Al.
Mayim Bialik (Amy Farrah Fowler)
Mayim Bialik has been busy as a bee since The Big Bang Theory concluded. Like Jim Parsons, she lent her voice to Young Sheldon in a special cameo as adult Amy. Then just as her overachieving character on screen, she went on to pursue other talents by writing and directing the film, As They Made Us, a drama about family and grief starring her former co-star, Simon Helberg. The movie is a must watch for fans of family dramas, character-driven stories, and movies that explore complex relationships in a very realistic manner.
Mayim Bialik continued her streak of working closely with the cast of The Big Bang Theory by starring as the lead character in Call Me Kat, an endearing sitcom about a woman navigating love, life, and messy relationships while running a cat cafe. The series was produced by Jim Parsons and ran for three seasons before getting cancelled. It’s the perfect show for fans who enjoy lighter comedies with relatable characters. She also made headlines as a guest host on Jeopardy! from 2021 to 2023 before stepping away.
Melissa Rauch (Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz)
Melissa Rauch returned to sitcoms with a lead role in Night Court, a revival of the classic 1980s legal comedy. The series follows Judge Abby Stone (Mellisa Rauch), the daughter of the original Judge Harry Stone as she presides over the quirky night shift of a Manhattan municipal court. It’s the perfect show for fans of lighthearted workplace comedies like Scrubs and Brooklyn Nine Nine. She also went on to star in several feature films in a supporting role and is most famously known for playing Meryl Streep’s daughter in Netflix’s comedy-drama The Laundromat, and appeared in a supporting role in the romantic-comedy Ode to Joy.
