Big Bang Theory last episode: Creators' thoughts behind series finale explained
THE BIG BANG THEORY'S last episode might have already aired, leaving fans across the world devastated, but what did the creators of the hit comedy think about the finale?
Kaley Cuoco discusses the ending of The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory came to an end over two years ago but it has certainly left a lasting legacy with fans of the CBS comedy. The stars of the show have spoken out numerous times about their memories from acting in 12 seasons of the popular programme, which is available to stream on Netflix. However, what did creator Chuck Lorre and showrunner Steve Holland make of the finale?
What happened in The Big Bang Theory finale?
Fans across the world tuned in to see the two-part finale, which tied up everything they had been watching for the past 12 seasons.
This included Leonard Hofstadter (played by Johnny Galecki) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco) making a firm stance with their relationship.
They decided they were going to pursue parenthood after years of turbulent romance which saw them split on several occasions.
Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) and Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik) won the Noble Prize in physics, making their commitment to science worthwhile.
For Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), his wife Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz (Melissa Rauch) and Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar), they felt content where they were in their lives and began looking to the future.
Tears were flowing aplenty with viewers at home, those behind-the-scenes and those in front of the camera as the series was brought to an emotional end.
READ MORE: Fern Britton on ‘life-saving’ surgery 'Didn't want my life cut short'
What did creators Chuck Lorre and Steve Holland think of The Big Bang Theory finale?
Chuck Lorre was one of two creators of the show, alongside Bill Prady, and both served as executive producers on the programme.
Whereas Steve Holland acted as showrunner and got a full grasp of what was happening with the crew behind the scenes.
Discussing how long the plot of the last episode was in the pipeline for, Lorre explained: "I had a couple of different things in mind, but this was far better than anything I could have presented.
"Credit for this finale has to go to Steve Holland and the writing staff. They proposed a finale that was centred on emotional closure in the characters’ lives, in their relationships and in them growing as individuals and in their lives expanding."
I had a couple of different things
"I was struck by how elegant that was and I jumped on board. It was better than anything I might have had in my head," Lorre continued.
"And while there is quite a bit of story with the Nobel Prize and the pregnancy elements, it’s a lot of character material there that took the finale in a different direction.
"It made the finale about the characters as opposed to some big cataclysmic ending or everybody packing their bags and moving out and going different places.
"There is nothing wrong with that approach but this felt much more rewarding for us. I love the way it ended."
DON'T MISS...
Melissa Rauch net worth: How much is The Big Bang Theory star worth? [ANALYSIS]
Prince Harry and Meghan 'making their voices heard' with new projects [COMMENT]
Janette Manrara plans to quiz Aljaz’s celeb partner on It Takes Two [COMMENT]
Steve added his thoughts on the last episode, stating: "Knowing it was the end, we’d been talking about where we wanted to see these characters land.
"The show has never been plot-heavy and, for us as fans of these characters, it didn’t feel right or necessary for us to do a heavy finale like that and put a 'the end stamp' on all these stories.
"It was important to feel like their lives and their friendships went on. That was our starting place of how we wanted to build this finale," he told The Hollywood Reporter.
With all the storylines wrapped up, there is little likelihood there will be any future episodes of the show.
Why did The Big Bang Theory end?
It has been confirmed by production designer John Shaffner the show was set to continue for another two years before the last episode aired in 2019.
According to an interview with Metro.co.uk, the decision to bring the comedy to an end was because of the actor who played Sheldon, Jim.
The award-winning star of the show had apparently told Lorre he was unable to commit to any further episodes beyond season 12.
"And Chuck had always said if one member of the cast left the show then the show would have to end," Shaffner revealed.
"It was very hard for a while for people to accept the decision and the crew was very disappointed because it was a good job," he continued but said he had "respect" for Jim's decision to quit.
The Big Bang Theory is available to watch on CBS in the USA and Netflix in the UK.