“It added another interesting complication”: Kaley Cuoco’s Pregnancy Almost Became a Hurdle For Her Highly-rated Show Until She Came Up With a Genius Solution

It is almost impossible for the TV audience not to be familiar with Kaley Cuoco for the past few years now. From her first big break part as Penny in The Big Bang Theory up to her recent role in Role Play, she has proven her skills in both television and movies.

Much like her professional life, her personal life was also quite happening. After going through multiple relationships and short marriages, Cuoco finally found her love. But it was never in her thoughts that her new love life was about to collide with her professional commitments.

Kaley Cuoco’s Pregnancy and Clever Script Change

Cuoco was also in the recent comedy-thriller Based on a True Story which revolves around a couple living in L.A. and their struggles. But life had planned something else for Cuoco because she became pregnant just before the shooting of the show.

In an interview with Emmy magazine, the actress revealed that having a kid was never her priority, especially in front of her career. However, everything changed when she met Tom Pelphrey. The couple “badly” wanted a kid and thought it would be the right time to have a kid because of their age and they couldn’t “wait too long.”

However, instead of panicking, Kaley Cuoco got creative. She revealed her pregnancy to the show’s producers and gave them an idea. She said in her Emmy interview,

I’m like, ‘What if this character was pregnant?’ And they’re like, ‘Umm …’ And I’m like, ‘Think really hard about it because maybe it’s a really good idea — and it might be the only option.’ They were looking at me, and I’m smiling, and they all went, ‘Oh, my God, are you pregnant?’ I’m like, ‘Uh-huh.’

Showrunner Craig Rosenberg also felt that showing Cuoco pregnant would separate Based on a True Story from her previous works, and it would also add more layers to her character Ava Bartlett, who was a real estate agent with a true crime obsession. So, he decided to make changes to the script and said,

Once you have a kid on the way, you’re not just making decisions for yourself. It added another interesting complication, which was great for the character and the show.

Cuoco managed to wrap up her shoot between the 5th and 9th months of her pregnancy, which amazed her co-star Chris Messina, especially because of her ability to nap in between takes and still nail the shoot.

Kaley Cuoco Announced Engagement With Tom Pelphrey

When Based on a True Story was still in the process of development, Cuoco’s own life was also changing. She immediately developed romantic feelings for Tom Pelphrey when she first met him at a Netflix party for Ozark. During an interview with USA Today, she recalled,

I heard his voice, and I turned around, and it was like my life was over, or just starting. It hit me. It was love at first sight. We were immediately connected. I do feel like I’ve known him my whole life, but I wasn’t ready for him. We’re ready to build a life together.

They immediately connected, and their relationship moved quickly as they were expecting their daughter, Matilda, months later. Matilda came to the world in March 2023, and Pelphrey expressed his joy of parenthood in a conversation with People as “the most beautiful thing ever.”

Their love life took a step further when they announced their engagement in August 2024. According to People, Cuoco shared an Instagram story showing off her ring and calling it an “Amazing weekend.” 

Cuoco believes her daughter is born to be an actress, and she expressed in her Emmy interview that “it’s in her genes”. With two parents who are from the entertainment industry, it won’t be a surprise if Matilda actually follows her mother’s words.

Based on a True Story is available to stream on Peacock.