Cast of BIG BANG THEORY May Hold Up Season 8 Production Due to Contract Negotiations

Deadline reports that the cast of the hit CBS comedy THE BIG BANG THEORY, are currently without contracts, which may delay production on the upcoming season.

Series stars Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar were all working under contracts which expired at the end of last season. Cast members Melissa Rauch and Mayim Bialik are still under the contracts were were renegotiated in 2013.

The Big Bang Theory, currently the No. 1 show on TV, is set to begin production on its eighth season July 30th, however filming may be put on hold if the two sides cannot reach an agreement. The comedy is set to return to CBS with all-new episodes on Monday, Sept. 22.

In March, CBS renewed the show for three additional seasons in March, contingent on the current cast returning. Most recently, Galecki, Parsons and Cuoco-Sweeting were each receiving a whopping $350,000 per episode. According to the report, the actors may earn up to $1 million per episode following these most recent negotiations.