The cast of The Big Bang Theory went through a lot with their characters over the course of the show’s 12-season run. From breakups and marriages to babies and Nobel prizes, the close-knit group of friends went through it all. Of course, the cast also had things going on in their own lives. This includes the real-life relationship between co-stars Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki. The two dated for two years before they called it quits but have remained good friends since. Despite this, the breakup still came during an awkward time in the show’s history.
Kaley Cuoco recently recalled that her breakup with Johnny Galecki was amicable, but things their characters – Penny and Leonard – were still going strong in their relationship. And according to Cuoco, Big Bang Theory co-creator and writer Chuck Lorre was writing a number of love scenes for them:
Luckily, Johnny and I came out of it so brilliantly. We're closer today than we ever were… I remember when we broke up, obviously it was a little sensitive for a minute, but I remember those weeks that Chuck had written these episodes where all of a sudden our characters were sleeping together like every other second.
During her appearance on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, Cuoco couldn’t help but laugh at the irony of the situation. And when Shepard asked her why Lorre probably did, the actress responded by saying that Lorre likely just did it to mess with her and Johnny Galecki, which she says makes her love the producer even more.
Leonard and Penny definitely had some steamy moments (for a sitcom) in The Big Bang Theory, and one can only imagine what it was like for Cuoco and Galecki to play through those episodes. Still, they are capable actors, and the fact that they’re good friends likely made things a lot easier.
The relationship between Leonard and Penny was one of the driving forces of The Big Bang Theory, and it took a number of turns over the series’ run. What started as a friendly relationship between two neighbors transformed into a loving marriage. Though there were problems, even after the two tied the knot. One of those conflicts came when they discussed children, which Leonard wanted and Penny didn’t. But ultimately, in the series finale, the two learned that they were expecting a child, with both excited about the news.
Regardless of their personal ups and downs or those of their characters, it’s nice to see that the stars of The Big Bang Theory are still close and look back on the show fondly. I am, however, still curious as to why Chuck Lorre gave Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki so many love scenes at the time but, like Cuoco said, he may have just been having some fun with them.
The Big Bang Theory is currently available to stream on HBO Max.
