The Big Bang Theory: 10 Best Characters Who Appeared After Season 1
4. Beverly Hofstadter
It’s a common trick of any long running sitcom, both to fill in its universe and fill some episodes: after a while on the air, bring in the parents. The Big Bang Theory did this better than most, though, due to a clear vision and great casting, including Keith Carradine and Laurie Metcalf. Best of all, though, was Christine Baranski as Beverly Hofstadter.
In one bravura episode, Mrs Hofstadter illustrates precisely why Leonard is like he is. A renowned neuroscientist and psychiatrist, she pays a visit to the gang in season two and immediately makes everyone uncomfortable with her inability to switch off her work brain, issuing diagnoses and probing queries (all of which, meanwhile, Sheldon loves).
The writers are admirably uninterested in softening Beverly over time; with the odd exception, she’s consistently cold to Leonard, and the more details we learn of his childhood - during which he was essentially under constant analysis - the more terrifying she becomes.
Baranski clearly has a blast in the role and can deliver put downs and withering stares like few others. When we’re finally given a brief respite in which she confesses that she’s proud of her son, it means all the more for what we’ve seen of their relationship.