The cast of The Big Bang Theory is continuing to react to Season 12 being its last. The announcement made earlier this week has been at the heart of several outpourings from the show's ensemble. Among them Jim Parsons, Mayim Bialik, and Kaley Cuoco. Joining them in sharing his sentiments about the show ending its run is Kunal Nayyar, who portrays astrophysicist Raj Koothrappali on the series. Discussing his feelings on the end of the Big Bang era, Nayyar said:
It's bittersweet obviously. I'm ready for the next phase of my life [after] 12 years, yet at the same time I'm sad to be saying goodbye to my family. It just happened yesterday so I'm still trying to process all of it.
Kunal Nayyar's comments to ET encompass what must be a variety of complicated emotions. And they're feelings that will probably take a lot of time to sort out. Having been with the show since Season 1, Kunal Nayyar has twelve years of emotions to unpack surrounding the series concluding. So, it is not surprising that he is still processing and sifting through the realities of the announcement. Like his co-stars have expressed, those "bittersweet" feelings also encompass missing the cast and crew.
As much as Kunal Nayyar has to look towards a future after The Big Bang Theory, the actor is also excited about the upcoming Season 12. While the cast navigates what they definitively know is the final season, they still have to work towards putting it all together. The good news for fans, who still processing the news themselves, is that Nayyar is confident about the quality of the series' final installment. So, what does he have to say about the last season? Discussing it, Nayyar said:
It's going to be the greatest season we're ever gonna do. Actually, the last taping is on my birthday so it's going to be an interesting night.
Kunal Nayyar did not directly respond to the reports that it was his co-star Jim Parsons' decision to leave the series, which allegedly led to The Big Bang Theory's cancellation. Nayyar did speak affectionately of the bond between the cast, and the fact they support each other. The news that television's top comedy would be ending on CBS next year came as a surprise to many, especially as the network had recently discussed the show going beyond Season 12.
No matter the reason for its concluding, Kunal Nayyar seems ready for the next chapter in his life. With the show and the character of Raj being so popular, it would not be surprising if CBS were to contemplate a spinoff series that would revolve around him. While most of The Big Bang Theory's cast of characters have had their stories told, there is still a lot of Raj's left to explore, and his story would be worth following in a spinoff.
The twelfth and final season of The Big Bang Theory premieres September 24 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. For new television shows set to arrive this fall, check out CinemaBlend's guide to TV's fall premieres. For other new content coming to CBS, you can check out the network's fall schedule here.
