Jim Parsons auditioned for ‘The Office’ before landing ‘Big Bang Theory’

Can you imagine anyone other than Jim Parsons playing Sheldon Cooper, a.k.a. the character that millions of loyal fans fell in love with and followed for 12 seasons on The Big Bang Theory? Well according to Parsons himself that could have happened.In fact, had the stars aligned, Parsons would have headlined another show altogether: The Office. The actor divulged that he actually auditioned for the series before ever landing his Big Bang gig. Parsons made the reveal during a Television Critics Association (TCA) virtual panel on December 2, where he was promoting the new series he executive produces, Call Me Kat.Call Me Kat (which premieres on CTV in early 2021) is based on the U.K. show Miranda. Critics asked Parsons about the pressure of remaking a British series, which is how The Office came up. “I was like ‘how stupid, it’s about an office. If America wanted their own office show, they would have already made it by now,” Parsons said. Little did he know that the Steve Carell version would go on to become even more popular than the original Ricky Gervais edition. Or that it would land numerous Golden Globe and Emmy nominations following its 2001 debut.He knows all that now of course, and may have been a little salty at the time about not landing a role. Which role he auditioned out for, the actor wouldn’t say. But can’t you just see him trying Dwight Schrute on for size? Anyhow, had Parsons landed the secret part, he would have never been cast on The Big Bang Theory (streaming now on Crave) in 2007, since The Office didn’t wrap until 2013. In other words some things are just meant to be, which Parsons’ four Emmy wins for playing Sheldon Cooper should also prove.Meanwhile on Call Me Kat Parsons is strictly sticking to behind-the-scenes stuff for now, but he knows that fans would love to see him appear onscreen again—especially since his Big Bang flame Mayim Bialik, who played Amy Farrah Fowler, stars as the title character Kat. On the show she gives up her career and sinks her life savings into opening up a cat café instead. Kyla Pratt, Leslie Jordan, Swoosie Kurtz and Cheyenne Jackson also star. “I say, ‘never say never about a cameo,’” Parsons teased before admitting that production is already a well-oiled machine and he wouldn’t want to interfere with that quite yet.“I’m watching the rehearsals, I’m watching the tapings and I’m watching the shows and I’m like ‘this works,'” he added. “I don’t know if thousands of other people will like it, but it’s good.” Sounds like he’s a fan of workplace comedies after all—especially when they involve a former co-star and cats. Lots, and lots of cats.Call Me Kat debuts Sunday, January 3 at 8 p.m. ET on CTV before moving to its regular Thursday timeslot at 9 p.m. ET on January 7.[video_embed id='2089035']BEFORE YOU GO: You can get paid thousands of dollars to watch Christmas movies [/video_embed]