Kaley Cuoco Drops a Shocking ‘Big Bang Theory’ Truth That Changes How We See Penny

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Big Bang Theory fans, imagine a world where Kaley Cuoco was not a member of the hit CBS series' iconic cast. While everyone knows there was no better actress to play the role for twelve seasons, there was a small portion of time when Kaley almost didn't appear on the sitcom at all.

In journalist Jessica Radloff's new book The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, Kaley details how the show's creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady initially planned a darker direction for the female lead. According to the 8 Simple Rules alum, the writers passed her up at first, even though Chuck had worked with Kaley in her teens.

"I loved the role, and I loved Chuck," she said per an exclusive excerpt from The Hollywood Reporter. "I know Chuck really wanted me for the role of Katie, and I was definitely bummed when I didn’t get it, but I kind of have a way of moving on because you have to."

Of course, in hindsight, everything worked out the way it was supposed to, and viewers promptly fell in love with The Flight Attendant star's portrayal of Penny and her road to marriage with physicist Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki).

So, what were the show creators thinking the female lead would be like? As casting director Ken Miller goes on in the book, Penny's character was originally named Katie and would be the total opposite of the part we know and love. While Kaley's Penny was an upbeat, bubbly Midwesterner, Katie was much more cynical and pessimistic.

"Kaley Cuoco went to the network and tested for the first pilot of Big Bang," Ken said. "She’s so sunny and bubbly, and they just loved her, but she just didn’t bring the dark qualities. She just wasn’t the essence of Penny in that first incarnation."

With Kaley temporarily out of the picture, there were other famous actresses who came in to read for the role. Among those who auditioned were American Pie actress Tara Reid, Saved By the Bell star Elizabeth Berkley and My Cousin Vinny alum Marisa Tomei, who actually went through a screen test with Jim Parsons. The role ultimately went to actress Jodi Lyn O'Keefe who ended up filming the pilot for The Big Bang Theory.

While those involved with the pilot thought they had all done a great job, the producers weren't convinced. They not only let Jodi go from The Big Bang Theory after the first table read, but it now left room for an entirely new version of the role to emerge. The role was then given to actress Amanda Walsh, but ultimately that didn't work out either.

Luckily, fans know the end of this story. We all can agree that without Kaley, the show wouldn't have had the same success as it did.

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