The main cast members of "The Big Bang Theory" are all willing to return for Season 11 even without a higher paycheck. The news came from Kunal Nayyar, who portrays Raj in CBS' long-running sitcom.
There were rumors that Jim Parsons (Sheldon), Kaley Cuoco (Penny), and Mayim Bialik (Amy) are demanding a pay raise for them to return for Season 11 of "The Big Bang Theory." Nayyar put a stop to this rumor, saying that the regulars are more than willing to reprise their roles in the show, which the actor called as "the happiest place on Earth," NY Daily News reported.
"As an artist that is a difficult thing to do as obviously you want to keep things fresh and you want to have the ability to explore other characters," Nayyar explained. He went on to say that if it were up to him and if he "could make a living as an actor being surrounded by such talented and wonderful people and co-workers who are more than but are family," he would stay on "The Big Bang Theory" as long as possible.
In 2015, Forbes revealed that Nayyar ranked third in the world's highest-paid actors list with $20 million earnings. That paycheck, however, was overshadowed by what Parsons and Cuoco are earning.
The two made almost $30 million not just from their salaries but also from side deals, according to a separate report from NY Daily News. This year, Bialik told the news outlet that all of "The Big Bang Theory" cast are overpaid.
Forbes' 2016 list of highest paid TV actors once again put the cast of "The Big Bang Theory" to the top. Parsons leads at $25.5 million, Johnny Galecki (Leonard) at $24 million, Simon Helberg (Howard) at the third spot with $22.5 million, and Nayyar at fourth place with $22 million. Parsons, Galecki, and Cuoco are currently earning $1 million per "The Big Bang Theory" episode, TVLine reported.
In other news, CBS president Glenn Geller, Cuoco, and Parsons are all confident that "The Big Bang Theory" would be renewed for Season 11, TVLine added. Parsons confirmed that he's definitely on board for Season 11 and he's pretty sure that the rest of the cast is, too. A TVLine report earlier in October listed "The Big Bang Theory" as a sure renewal in CBS' 2017 list.
"The Big Bang Theory" Season 10 will air its seventh episode titled "The Veracity Elasticity" on Nov. 3. Watch a promo below.
