Kaley Cuoco failed her first audition for The Big Bang Theory before landing the career-defining role of Penny.
The 33-year-old became a household name after landing the part of Penny in the multi award -winning show, but she revealed to TV Insider that she originally tried out for a character named Katie in the pilot, who was subsequently cut from the series.
“I didn’t get (the original role of Katie) the first time around,” she shared. “I was too young, which I love saying because I don’t get to say that I’m too young anymore. Then, a year later, I heard they were doing it again, and they brought me back in to read for Penny.”
The Big Bang Theory made its small screen debut in September 2007, and will be bowing out from CBS’s schedule after the current, and final, 12th series later this year (19).
Speaking in the same interview, Warner Bros. Television Group President Peter Roth explained why it took so long for the show to make it to air, suggesting that character development was a key factor.
“In the first pilot, the character of Penny (originally named Katie) was not as appealing as that proverbial girl next door,” he said. “It was not the actress (Amanda Walsh) but rather the conceit of the character.
“Fortunately, Nina Tassler, then-president of CBS Entertainment, realised we had something very special and said, ‘Let’s do it again’.”
The Big Bang Theory will end with an hour-long episode on CBS on 16 May.
