‘Big Bang Theory’ will end its run in 2019

‘I look at the end of the show much like I think a devout Christian looks at death — not afraid but hopeful to see the thing that they believe in.’ Jim Parsons Actor who plays Sheldon Cooper on “The Big Bang Theory”

“The Big Bang Theory” will come to an end after its 12-season run in May 2019, CBS announced Wednesday. The longest-running multi-camera series in television history will wrap with a record-breaking 279 episodes.

“We are forever grateful to our fans for their support of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ during the past 12 seasons,” Lorre Productions, CBS and Warner Bros. said in a joint statement Wednesday.

“We, along with the cast, writers and crew, are extremely appreciative of the show’s success and aim to deliver a final season, and series finale, that will bring ‘The Big Bang Theory’ to an epic creative close,” it added.

Speculation had been growing about whether CBS and Warner Bros. Television, the studio behind the series, would keep the popular comedy series going. “Big Bang” is one of the industry’s most costly sitcoms to produce, in part because of cast salaries.

The series born in 2007 has received 52 Emmy nominations, 10 wins and seven Golden Globe nominations.

In May, Jim Parsons, who plays quirky Sheldon Cooper, discussed his role on the show with The Times and what the show’s end means to him.

“I look at the end of the show much like I think a devout Christian looks at death — not afraid but hopeful to see the thing that they believe in,” Parsons said. “Even though it’s not a tragedy, it’s one of those things where you’re still going to be, I would think, very moved to see the end of an era of your own life.”

Season 12 will kick off Sept. 24 on CBS before moving to its regular time slot on Sept. 27.