Kaley Cuoco Was Not On Board With Penny's Pregnancy On The Big Bang Theory
Kaley Cuoco's Penny on "The Big Bang Theory" starts out as the stereotypical knockout blond in the apartment across the hall from genius pals Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons). As the series progresses, however, Penny evolves in sometimes subtle, sometimes more pronounced ways, gradually growing into a more self-aware and assertive young woman. In later seasons, instead of the guys' high-IQ banter simply flying unacknowledged over her head, Penny often confidently shoots them down with snark that's as witty as any dark matter double entendre they toss out.
As Penny's personality changes, so too does her relationship with Leonard, going from the unattainable goddess next door to Leonard's girlfriend to tying the knot with him in the Season 9 premiere, "The Matrimonial Momentum." So with this backstory informing her role on the show, why was Cuoco less than thrilled when the scriptwriters decided it was time for Penny and Leonard to become parents-to-be on "The Big Bang Theory"?
Cuoco liked the fact Penny didn't want to have kids
As Kaley Cuoco revealed in Jessica Radloff's newly published behind-the-scenes book, "The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series," she had a clear position on the prospect of Penny suddenly finding herself eating for two. "I actually wished that they did not [make Penny pregnant]," Cuoco said, "because I loved that message [of Penny not wanting kids] so much." However, the actor appreciated how the storyline development was handled. "It was cute how the writers did it at the end with Penny's surprise pregnancy, and all in all I'm glad, but I was actually voting for her not to [get pregnant]."
When it comes to the character of Penny herself, her opinion is spelled out in Season 12, Episode 3, when Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) is giving her grief about not wanting children. "I know I'd be great [at being a mom], but the point is, I don't want to be one," Penny says. "You know, not everyone needs to have kids to be fulfilled."