Having just wrapped Season 9 a couple weeks ago, it has already been confirmed that The Big Bang Theory will return for Season 10 in the fall. But where it goes after that is anyone’s guess. It has long been rumored that America’s favorite sitcom will continue for a few more years. But star Kunal Nayyar, who plays Raj, is hinting that may not be true. It’s very possible that these upcoming episodes could be the show’s last.
Kunal Nayyar showed up at MCM Comic-Con London this past week, and he wasn’t as optimistic as some of his other cast mates when it comes to The Big Bang Theory being renewed past Season 10. He claims that the cast contracts do not extend past the 2016-2017 season. And it doesn’t sound like there are any current negotiations to continue, though that could change. The actor explains via Radio Times.
“Look – next season, as it stands on our contract, could be the last season of Big Bang Theory. To be completely honest…I know people are gonna want to know what happens after season 10. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Kunal Nayyar could know something we don’t at this point, or he could be stumping for a bigger pay check by stirring up a little controversy. In recent months, Kaley Cuoco, who plays Penny, and Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon, have both expressed their interest in returning for Season 11 and 12. They don’t want the party to end. But it might not be that simple. As CBS will have to once again contend with a few epic pay raises to keep their key characters in place.
The cast has only recently started to break out into movies. While Parsons has been in bit parts, finally taking on the more substantial lead voice role in Almost Home back in 2014, he is only now taking his first lead in a live-action movie, having signed onto the fantasy comedy Man-Witch earlier this year. Simon Helberg, who plays Howard, has also recently started appearing in more movies, creating We’ll Never Have Paris alongside his real-life girlfriend based on their dating misadventures. And he’ll next be see in Florence Foster Jenkins starring opposite Meryl Streep. Melissa Rauch had a big breakout role in this year’s raunchy comedy The Bronze. And even Nayyar took a lead role in the indie comedy Dr. Cabbie.
That said, these guys aren’t marquee stars at this time, and probably wouldn’t scoff at returning for future seasons if the paycheck is right. Though, Kunal admits that the ultimate decision is not up to him. The actor previously reported that the entire cast does feel like the show is in the ‘twilight’ of its life. Though, they won’t know where they land until CBS decides to renew or cancel the show for Season 11. Season 10 will kick off this Fall in its old Monday night time slot while Thursday Night Football continues. Later in the season it will jump back to its Thursday spot.