‘Big Bang Theory’ Officially Renewed; Mayim Bialik, Melissa Rauch May Not Return?

“Big Bang Theory” Seasons 11 and 12 are officially a go on CBS.

According to TV Line, renewal reports already swirled a few weeks ago, but it was only on Monday that an actual contract has been signed by the cast members and the network representatives. The agreement ensures 48 more episodes for the hit sitcom. However, cast members Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch have yet to sign a renewal deal because they are still in negotiations for a possible pay increase.

Bialik and Rauch are seeking salary parity with their fellow co-stars who are earning $1 million per episode. Both actresses have only been receiving $200,000 per episode since they joined the show in Season 3. According to Variety, Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar offered to cut their per-episode fee by $100,000 so they could shoulder Bialik and Rauch’s $50,000 salary increase each.

Read: Why is Amy feuding with Sheldon?

Deadline confirmed that Bialik and Rauch have not yet signed their respective contracts because their co-stars’ offer hasn’t been approved by the network executives yet. Once approved, the actresses will be receiving $500,000 per episode, while the original five cast members will be receiving $900,000 per episode.

Meanwhile, “Big Bang Theory” Season 10 still has nine more episodes left before the finale. The CBS sitcom went on a short hiatus after its 18th episode aired on March 9.

In “The Escape Hatch Identification,” Raj (Nayyar) moved out of his apartment because he could no longer afford to pay rent. Penny (Cuoco) and Leonard (Galecki) offered to take him in. But when they told Sheldon (Parsons) that Raj will now occupy his old room, they had to take some time to convince the former.

“Big Bang Theory” Season 10 airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST on CBS.