Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

‘Big Bang Theory’ casts Katey Sagal, Jack McBrayer in long overdue roles in season 10

Two new faces will appear on the hit CBS show Big Bang Theory, as was confirmed during the CBS show’s Comic-Con panel. Katey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy) and Jack McBrayer (30 Rock) will both make appearances in the season premiere episode, in two much-discussed but never seen roles.

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.

Recommended Videos

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.

Christine Persaud
Christine has decades of experience in trade and consumer journalism. While she started her career writing exclusively about…
Darth Maul is getting his own Star Wars animated series
Darth Maul in Star Wars Rebels.

Over 25 years ago, Darth Maul was killed off in his first appearance in Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. However, Maul's popularity eventually led to his return in the Star Wars animated series The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. Maul was killed off for a second time in Rebels season 3, but even that won't be the end of his story. During Star Wars Celebration, Lucasfilm announced Maul: Shadow Lord, a new animated series featuring Darth Maul in the leading role.

https://twitter.com/starwars/status/1913133212349726755

Read more
Leave it to Jordan Peele to tackle the horrors of football in Him
Two men flex their muscles while standing next to each other.

Football runs America. The sport's overwhelming popularity drives conversation, television ratings, and exorbitant revenue. However, football has a dark side that many would rather avoid. Horror maestro Jordan Peele uses football as the subject of a new nightmare, Him.

Produced by Peele under his Monkeypaw Productions banner, Him asks the following question: What would you sacrifice to become the greatest of all time? After dazzling audiences at CinemaCon, Universal has publicly released the first teaser trailer for Him.

Read more
In honor of Superman Day, go behind the scenes of James Gunn’s DCU adventure
David Corenswet stands in his Superman costume and stares.

For James Gunn, the journey to Superman began as a young boy.

"Being a child, I loved the purity of Superman," Gunn said in a behind-the-scenes reel of Superman. "It was a time when I was starting to understand what movies were."

Read more