‘The Big Bang Theory’: Will Amy Move On To New Romance Without Sheldon?


Earlier this month, Mayim Bialik, who plays the long-suffering and now former girlfriend of Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory, teased there may be some romance in her character’s future. As the Inquisitr previously reported, Bialik conveyed discussions she’s had with show producers and other interested people about what kind of match might be good for Amy Farrah Fowler — apart from Sheldon, of course.

Now, it seems the time may have arrived for Amy to see what else is out there besides her former love. TV Guide reported that Monday night’s episode features an Amy-centric storyline where Bernadette and Penny set the neurobiologist up on a dating site. And if fans think this might be a simple case of Amy taking a casual look and bowing out, they might be mistaken.

Two actors have been cast to play potential love interests: one for Amy and one for Sheldon — Stephen Merchant and Analeigh Tipton. That leads viewers to presume that Sheldon won’t be just picking up random women in a bar like he was attempting to do last week, and Amy might not be stuck with Sheldon’s colleague Barry Kripke.

But to hear executive producer Steven Molaro tell it, they are playing it by ear — just as one might if the Big Bang Theory characters were experiencing a real life breakup. Molaro revealed that the intent will be to explore themes that are consistent with whom Big Bang Theory viewers know Sheldon and Amy to be.

“I don’t think either of them would want to jump into anything too quickly, even if one is concerned about what the other is or isn’t doing. That’s not in their nature, definitely not Sheldon’s. We’re going to play it by ear and see what, if any, steady new relationships develop, but just getting out there going on a date or two is fun and good for them and has the potential for a lot of new stories. This [breakup] is about growing them as individuals.”

When Mayim Bialik spoke with E! about Amy’s new pairings, she said she preferred to not go against type — so sticking with another character who’s intellectual would be appropriate. A quick glance at a photograph of Stephen Merchant, a bespectacled English actor, might lead viewers to believe producers stuck close to Bialik’s opinion.

amy new love the big bang theory
Actor Stephen Merchant has been tapped for a future installment of ‘The Big Bang Theory.’ (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images Entertainment)

As for Analeigh Tipton for Sheldon, it’s difficult to tell whether it will turn into a long-term relationship. All viewers know of Sheldon’s “type” is that he really doesn’t have one; he was reluctant to date Amy to begin with. Last week, we learned from his rejection of Raj’s girlfriend that he doesn’t like red hair and pale skin because they give rise to his fear of clowns.

As Entertainment Weekly reported, Tipton has been on The Big Bang Theory before, appearing as herself. That was back in Season 2. EW confirmed Tipton won’t come back in the same capacity — she’ll be a new character. Whether she will be presented as an “attractive” type remains to be seen; when Tipton was on before, it was as part of a storyline when Howard and Raj tried to get access to the home of America’s Next Top Model.

the big bang theory sheldon and amy
Will Analeigh Tipton be Sheldon’s new love? The actor has been cast to appear in an upcoming episode of ‘The Big Bang Theory.’ (Photo by Sonia Reochia/Getty Images)

The Big Bang Theory airs Monday nights at 8 p.m. on CBS for the moment. The show will head back to Thursdays on November 5.

[Main photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images Entertainment]

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