'The Big Bang Theory' is ending because Jim Parsons 'ready to leave'

Ben Arnold
·Contributor


While fans digest the announcement that US sitcom The Big Bang Theory is to end after its 12 season, the reason for its winding up may have been revealed.

According to Entertainment Weekly, star Jim Parsons was ‘ready to walk away’ from the show, despite being tempted for another two years with a massive pay packet.

Earning a reported $1 million per episode on the show, Parsons, and his co-stars Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Kunal Nayyar, and Simon Helbergand were being offered incentives worth $50 million to stay on.

But it’s said that after 12 years playing Dr. Sheldon Cooper, he was set to move on, and with Parsons being the linchpin of the show, it would be unfeasible to continue without him.

(Credit: CBS)
(Credit: CBS)

Parsons reps have not commented on the report.

A statement from Warner Bros Television, CBS and Chuck Lorre Productions said: “We are forever grateful to our fans for their support of The Big Bang Theory during the past 12 seasons. We, along with the cast, writers and crew, are extremely appreciative of the show’s success and aim to deliver a final season, and series finale, that will bring The Big Bang Theory to an epic creative close.”

The series, which debuted in 2007, has run over 255 episodes so far, scooping seven Emmys along the way, and is the longest-running multi-camera sitcom in TV history.

The last season debuts on September 24 in the US.

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