<P> In the original , unaired pilot of the series , the conception of the female lead was very different . She was called Katie , and was envisioned as `` a street - hardened , tough - as - nails woman with a vulnerable interior '' . Sheldon and Leonard would `` approach her with honesty , to draw the real , sensitive Katie out '' . The role was played by Amanda Walsh . However , the test audiences reacted to the character negatively , seeing her as too mean . Because of this , the character was changed , and the role was recast . </P>
<P> In the original , unaired pilot of the series , the conception of the female lead was very different . She was called Katie , and was envisioned as `` a street - hardened , tough - as - nails woman with a vulnerable interior '' . Sheldon and Leonard would `` approach her with honesty , to draw the real , sensitive Katie out '' . The role was played by Amanda Walsh . However , the test audiences reacted to the character negatively , seeing her as too mean . Because of this , the character was changed , and the role was recast . </P>
who was going to play penny in the big bang theory
who was going to play penny in the big bang theory
Amanda Walsh
Amanda Walsh