The Big Bang Theory Casting Miss Almost Cost the Show Its Breakout Star

Summary:

• The Big Bang Theory started with 5 main characters in the regular cast: Leonard, Sheldon, Howard, Raj and Penny.
• Penny's character didn't exist in the original version of the pilot, but was written as a softer replacement for Katie.
• Kaley Cuoco, who originally auditioned for the role of Katie, was rejected due to her age, but was later cast as Penny.

It's almost impossible to imagine The Big Bang Theory any other way. Throughout the 12 seasons of the original show, audiences grew up with the characters, became attached to them and even saw themselves in Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, Raj and Penny in various situations.

As the most ‘normal’ of the bunch, Penny was eventually called the heart of the show and the character who represented the audience the most, as viewers learned about the quirks of the others through her perception. At one point, however, Kaley Cuoco was rejected by casting directors.

Who Was In The Big Bang Theory Before Penny?

Many people are aware of the fact that The Big Bang Theory was not the show we know now when it started. The idea of the show was slightly different and so were the characters. Penny did not even exist in the first version of a pilot and it was Katie who accompanied Leonard and Sheldon.

A lesser known fact is that Kaley Cuoco was also almost passed over by the casting directors. When she first auditioned for the role of Katie, she did not fit the image the writers had for the character, so she was not chosen. It was only after the audience failed to connect with Katie that Penny was born and Cuoco was brought back.

“I didn't get [the role of Katie] the first time around. I was too young, which I love saying because I don't get to say that I'm too young anymore. [Laughs] Then, a year later, I heard they were doing it again, and they brought me back in to read for Penny,” the actress recalled.

Penny was a big change from Katie for several reasons. She was portrayed as more naive and sweet, and she treated both Sheldon and Leonard much better, without any ulterior motives. Although Cuoco's youthful appearance was a drawback for Katie, it was exactly what the producers needed for Penny.

Thanks to the early cast changes, The Big Bang Theory team was able to build the perfect dynamic between the characters, which is exactly what made the show so popular with viewers. Instead of exploiting the guys, Penny has become the heart and soul of the show, offering a unique look at pop culture from an outsider's perspective.

If you want to watch The Big Bang Theory from the very beginning, to relive the slow integration into the group of friends that Penny went through in earlier seasons, the show is available to stream on Max.

Source: TV Insider