Sagal will play Penny’s (Kaley Cuoco’s) mom Susan, while McBrayer will play her mysterious and, judging from past stories told about him, troubled brother Randall.
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Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Sagal will play Cuoco’s mother: the veteran actress, who is best known both for her role as the oft-despised Gemma Teller on Sons of Anarchy as well as starring as the hilarious Peggy Bundy in ‘80s/‘90s comedy sitcom Married…With Children, also filled those shoes in the early ‘00s series 8 Simple Rules.
In this new role, however, Big Bang Theory showrunner Steve Molaro describes Susan as “stressed our and neurotic from a life with her troubled son.” Randall, meanwhile, will be in much better spirits, and reportedly turning things around, as he’s described as a “former” drug dealer and ex-con.
Other parental units have become hilarious recurring cast members for the show. Laurie Metcalf was nominated for an Emmy this year for her role as Sheldon’s (Jim Parson’s) bible-toting mom. Christine Baranski has appeared many times as Dr. Beverly Hofstadter, the cold and clinical maternal figure of Leonard (Johnny Galecki), while Judd Hirsch was introduced as his father, Dr. Alfred Hofstadter, in the season nine finale. Casey Sander has also played Bernadette’s (Melissa Rauch’s) father Mike. And fans have already gotten a look at Penny’s dad Wyatt: Keith Carradine portrayed that role in two episodes of the series thus far.
It’s worth noting that one of the most memorable parents from the show is one viewers never saw: Howard’s plus-sized (and voiced) mother. Debbie who was often heard squealing for Howard to come aid her in some rather uncomfortable task. Sadly, the actor who voiced her, Carol Ann Susi, passed away in 2014, leading the show to follow suit and write her death into the storyline.
It will be interesting to see what the sitcom has in store for Sagal and McBrayer, and whether their characters will be recurring ones.
The 10th season of Big Bang Theory will debut on Monday, September 19.
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