Johnny Galecki candidly reveals that he doesn't agree with how Jim Parsons handled his The Big Bang Theory exit. After 12 seasons, the CBS sitcom wrapped up its run with an emotionally satisfying finale. Despite this, The Big Bang Theory could have gone on for much longer. Aside from the fact that it was still at a hit ratings-wise, the network had just expressed its interest to renew it for another season or two.

The Big Bang Theory's end boiled down to Parsons' personal decision to leave the series after its 12th year. According to the actor, after some rumination, he realized that it was time for him to exit the show, especially since he felt they'd done everything in terms of Sheldon's personal story.

This came as a surprise to the rest of the cast, as most of them were willing to continue, but in the end, they all decided to wrap things up with a complete cast instead of continuing without one.

Now, however, brand-new information comes to light about what really happened behind the scenes as they dealt with Parsons' news. In the new book The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series (via People), Galecki opens up about the way his co-star's decision was delivered to them. Apparently, learning about Parsons' plan wasn't a great experience. Aside from his own feelings about it, Galecki says it broke his heart to see the rest of the cast's reaction to the news that ended The Big Bang Theory.

Read the rest of the actor's quote below:

I was shocked. We were just blindsided that day. And not necessarily shocked by Jim's decision, but that he hadn't had that conversation with his castmates first to prepare us. So yes, it could have been handled better. We're a family; have a conversation. And I don't even disagree with how Jim felt, because in many ways, I felt the same way. I just disagreed with how it was managed.

Could The Big Bang Theory Have Continued Without Jim Parsons' Sheldon?

Despite Galecki's thoughts about how Parsons' decision to leave The Big Bang Theory was delivered, he and the rest of the cast understood their co-star's choice. As an ensemble series, however, they had the option to move forward without Sheldon. Other sitcoms have lost major characters and still thrived, but they all knew how important the socially inept genius was to the show. He was arguably the sitcom's true lead; the majority of the plot lines were about him, and the few that weren't still used him as a supporting player. It's difficult to say if The Big Bang Theory could have continued without Sheldon, but it could have given CBS the opportunity to shift some of its focus to the other cast members, particularly Raj, who was sidelined for the most part.

Three years after The Big Bang Theory ended, Parsons remains involved in the show's universe thanks to Young Sheldon. While Iain Armitage plays the prequel spinoff's titular character, Parsons provides the narration as the older version of the character and produces the family comedy. Beyond that, it's uncertain when fans will see Parsons on-screen as Sheldon again. Perhaps he could reunite with Galecki and the rest of the cast through the proposed The Big Bang Theory revival, which could come to fruition down the road.

Source: The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series (via People)