One of The Big Bang Theory’s fan-favorite cast, Mayim Bialik never thought her character would become a staple member of the show. She portrayed the smart and quirky Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler in a total of 203 episodes. The actress brought so much life to the character who was only meant to appear in just one episode.
Bialik was unsure of the character’s fate in the series, and because she was juggling two jobs at the time, she resolved not to quit both. Ultimately, things went on a different turn that was in favor of the actress.
Mayim Bialik Worked Two Jobs, Assumed Amy Would Be Let Go After One Episode
Inspired by Mayim Bialik’s educational attainment, Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler has a Ph.D. in neurobiology from Harvard University. She first appeared in Season 3 as a potential dating match for Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons). Despite their differences, the two found a common denominator and eventually became lovers.
Amy and Sheldon’s quirkiness brought out the chemistry in their relationship and made them one of the most well-loved couples in the show. Parsons was so fond of their love team, that he actually suggested the character remain in the series.
Speaking with Jessica Radloff, Bialik relayed how certain she was that her character wouldn’t last in the show (via an exclusive excerpt from EW):
“The week that I was offered a regular contract, I had told my manager, ‘I think this is my last episode; I think they’re done with me and have done all they want to do with my character.’ And that made me really sad.”
Because of her dedication and hard work, Bialik was fortunate enough to receive good news:
“I told my manager, and she called me back later that day and said, ‘You’re not going to believe what call I just got. They’d like to offer you a full position as a regular!’ Like, no one was sending me covert messages; it was a completely self-generated fear that I wasn’t fitting in or whatever it was.”
Bialik didn’t let go of her other jobs despite bagging a regular on the show. She revealed:
“But once I was made a regular, I was still teaching neuroscience and tutoring piano. Then all that stuff kind of petered out because I had a full-time job. But I was not used to that! I had gotten my Ph.D. about five years before. I was living my best hippie, science, mom life pretty much out of the industry.”
The Big Bang Theory star confessed it was her “own craziness” that made her doubt she won’t stay in her acting job. Then, this sudden shift in destiny changed her life and career forever.
Jim Parsons Fought For Mayim Bialik’s Character To Become A Regular In The Show
In the same interview released in book format, The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, Parsons revealed he campaigned for Bialik to reprise the role in Season 4:
“I remember saying to Todd, ‘I will not let this character go without a fight.’ That was notable for me, only in that I almost never disagreed with the writers. But at some point, I felt a certain way about working with Mayim.”
The Sheldon Cooper star also noted that introducing Amy was one of the best things the writers of the show ever did. Her addition to the cast was something they did not need at the time, but the writers were brilliant enough to “see what was going to work and how it would work,” added Parsons.
The Big Bang Theory is available to stream via HBO Max.
Source: EW
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