After 12 seasons, the popular TV show, The Big Bang Theory, is coming to an end.
Warner Bros. Television announced today, (Wednesday August 22), the comedy’s 12th season will be its last.
The series finale will be out in May, and by the end of the latest series, The Big Bang Theory will have notched up a staggering 279 episodes.
In a joint statement, WBTV and Chuck Lorre Productions said, as reported by The Hollywoood Reporter:
We are forever grateful to our fans for their support of The Big Bang Theory during the past twelve 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 show was created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady and premiered in 2007.
Last year, Lorre revealed season 12 could well be the last. Season 11’s last episode featured a wedding between Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Amy (Mayim Bialik), which many presumed would be the finale for the show as a whole.
Speaking to Digital Spy ahead of season 11, Kunal Nayyar, who plays unlucky in love astrophysicist Raj, said:
I’m not saying it’s the end after season 12, but we know this incredible, special thing is going to come to an end, and sooner rather than later.
I think all of us [in the cast] are at least beginning to feel a little bit nostalgic about the time we’ve had.
The Big Bang Theory star was also wary of being in a show which overstays its welcome, claiming ‘no-one wants to see an old, fat Raj’
He added:
I don’t know if season 12’s going to be the last season – those decisions are not up to me – but I do know for a fact that we have less [episodes to come] than we’ve already had.
During its run, The Big Bang Theory has been nominated for a whopping 52 Emmys, with 10 wins under its belt. However, it has never won the award for outstanding comedy series.
Kelly Kahl, head of CBS Entertainment, said in a statement:
The Big Bang Theory has been the defining comedy of its generation. All of us at the network take exceptional pride in this series that uniquely combines creative genius, commercial ratings success, cultural influence and characters who became so popular, they are easily known by just one name.
We’re incredibly grateful for our partnership with Warner Bros., Chuck Lorre Productions and a brilliant cast and crew that has made such a ‘big bang’ and lasting legacy on the television landscape.
Speaking to Variety back in January, Johnny Galecki, who plays Leonard, said:
The only way we’ve discussed wrapping the show is we’re all going to be very sad when that day comes. I think at this point everyone is very comfortable with 12 seasons being a good time to go home and see our families.
Fare thee well, Big Bangers.
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Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.