'Big Bang Theory' Fans and Stars React to Series Finale

Video by Meredith Ganzman

Fans and cast members of the “Big Bang Theory” have taken to social media to express their sadness over the series’ emotional final episode.

The show, which first aired in September of 2007, has aired their 279th and final episode on Thursday night, marking 12 years of antics for the group of friends. 

First to hit the Twitter feed with his sentiments was Mark Hamill, who has been a longtime fan of the show and made a cameo on season 11. 

“Congratulations @bigbangtheory for 12 history-making years of laughter, elevating nerd-culture to unimagined new heights and triggering countless folks to ask me if I would please officiate their weddings,” the "Star Wars" icon writes. 

Congratulations @bigbangtheory for 12 history-making years of laughter, elevating nerd-culture to unimagined new heights & triggering countless folks to ask me if I would please officiate at their weddings. ❤️ Your fan, Bark Hamill --pic.twitter.com/lh8BQSQEUx

— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) May 16, 2019

Dr. Leonard Hofstadter actor Johnny Galecki took to Instagram with a photo of the gang rolling out of the fictional apartment building with a caption thanking the fans and an ending note that reads, “Much love always. What an incredible ride.” 

Thank you to all the fans who, along with us, bid Leonard, Sheldon, Penny, Howard, Raj, Bernadette, Amy and Stuart farewell last night. Much love always. What an incredible ride. ❤️❤️❤️ @kaleycuoco @therealjimparsons #simonhelberg @kunalkarmanayyar @themelissarauch @missmayim @kevsussman @bigbangtheory_cbs

A post shared by Johnny Galecki (@sanctionedjohnnygalecki) on May 17, 2019 at 9:33am PDT

Jim Parsons, who plays Dr. Sheldon Cooper, also added his own final show sentiments with a photo of the cast in the midst of a group hug with a note in the caption that says, “All of us will miss seeing you in this format, but we will be around in all sorts of ways, I assure you.” 

It was really hard to pick the right pic for this post, so here is a shot of us in a hug after we filmed the last group scene we would ever film for the series... and TONIGHT is THE NIGHT... it’s the series finale at 8pm EST and then there’s the Young Sheldon (season!) finale, and then a special behind the scenes show hosted by @kaleycuoco and @sanctionedjohnnygalecki and then the entire cast is on @colbertlateshow I hope you get a chance to tune in and i hope you enjoy all of it. If you enjoy it even half as much as we’ve enjoyed (LOVED) creating this show for the past 12 years, then that’ll be a WHOLE WHOLE lot of enjoyment. All of us will miss seeing you in this format, but we will be around in all sorts of ways, I assure you... love love love ❤️❤️❤️

A post shared by Jim Parsons (@therealjimparsons) on May 16, 2019 at 5:37am PDT

Saddened fans also added their sentiments online. One in particular was happy to see that the show was able to end without having to “kill anyone off.”

As far as series finales go, that was pretty good. Wrapped everything up nicely and didn’t kill anyone off! @bigbangtheory

— Liz Mantel (@Liz_Mantel) May 17, 2019

Thurdsay night, the “Big Bang Theory” Twitter posted a video of the show’s stars thanking the fans and bidding their characters farewell. 

The #BigBangTheory cast has a special message for all of YOU, the incredible fans who have watched, loved, and supported the show for so many years. ❤️pic.twitter.com/R5iEvovGWb

— The Big Bang Theory (@bigbangtheory) May 16, 2019

Showrunners revealed last summer that the series would be canceled, and when filming wrapped last month, cast members began to share their own goodbye messages. 

Last month, Parsons shared a photo of his fictional apartment door to Instagram with a message that reads, “Thank you, apartment 4A, for being a home to so many dreams come true and so many friendships made.”

knock, knock, knock, thank you... Thank you, apartment 4A, for being a home to so many dreams come true, to so many friendships made. And thank YOU, ALL of you - yes, YOU, reading this right NOW! As we get ready to tape our final episode tonight, to walk in and out of this apartment door for the last time, it is hard to find the words to articulate what a profound experience this has been. But the words “love” and “gratitude” come to mind... so love and gratitude to all of you. ALL of you. Thank you. ❤️ (oh! and happy birthday to @sanctionedjohnnygalecki and @kunalkarmanayyar - talk about good timing... may your next 12 years be as vibrant and wonderful as the last 12 years in which i’ve had the pleasure to know and work with you both --)

A post shared by Jim Parsons (@therealjimparsons) on Apr 30, 2019 at 11:45am PDT

Galecki followed suit with a post of his own, depicting apartment 4B’s door with the message, “More feelings than words can express.” 

More feelings than words can express. @kaleycuoco @therealjimparsons #simonhelberg @kunalkarmanayyar @themelissarauch @missmayim @bigbangtheory_cbs

A post shared by Johnny Galecki (@sanctionedjohnnygalecki) on Apr 30, 2019 at 11:00am PDT