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The Big Bang Theory may be the most popular TV show in the world right now, but that doesn't mean its future isn't in jeopardy.
As the show approaches its landmark 10th season, CBS bosses are trying to sort out its stars' contracts – which are currently set to expire at the end of season 10.
Jim Parsons (Sheldon), Johnny Galecki (Leonard), Kaley Cuoco (Penny), Simon Helberg (Howard), Kunal Nayyar (Raj), Mayim Bialik (Amy) and Melissa Rauch (Bernadette) are now apparently seeking pay rises, following their previous deal two years ago when it was picked up for three more seasons.
But this time around, contract negotiations won't necessarily halt production of the season, as they have already filmed three episodes. Now, showrunner Steve Molaro has spoken about the possibility of the series continuing without some or all of its main stars.
Related: Here's 21 awesome facts you might not know about The Big Bang Theory
"All we can do right now is focus on season 10 and go script by script, which is what we would be doing anyway," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "As far as I'm concerned, here in the writers' room, it's business as usual: moving forward with the characters and letting them live their lives day by day and feeling out what happens with them.
"We don't really arc out stories too far, and we let things happen organically, and if things catch us by surprise — like Bernadette being pregnant or something like that — if it feels right, we go with it.
"It's more of that and if and when we know something that's actual information that can be helpful [regarding the contracts], we may do something differently, but until then, we're sticking to the game plan."
When asked if the show could continue without Sheldon and co, Steve said: "I have no idea. I think it would certainly be different and weird. There's no point in me wondering what it could be when I have 19 scripts staring down at me that need to get written."
Related: Big Bang Theory quiz: How many of these episode titles are real?
In terms of the notice period he'd prefer to have if it turned out this was the final season, Steve said: "The more the better. If I had a couple of episodes of advance warning, I'm confident we could do something meaningful, but hopefully it won't come to that."
And he added that he'd rather not say how long the series could feasibly continue, *if* the cast did sign new contracts.
"I wouldn't put a number on it. There's so many moving pieces. Every actor will have their own opinion; their agents will have their own opinion; Warner Bros will have their own opinion; CBS will have their own opinion. It's not really for me to put a number on it and worry about that stuff."
The Big Bang Theory will return on Monday, September 19, and will then move back to its regular Thursday slot from October 27. As usual, it will air later in the year on E4 in the UK.
