In a 2014 interview with The Wrap, shortly after her character’s debut, Spencer expressed her hopes for Emily’s character development. “I would like to see Penny and Emily end up friends,” she said. “Friendships can start with conflict and grow into something meaningful. I always imagined Emily sitting in the living room, sharing take-out with everyone.” However, the show took a different route, painting Emily as a problematic partner, eventually leading to her exit. Before her departure, Spencer enjoyed the rare privilege of sitting on Sheldon’s iconic couch, a notable achievement for her character.

Reflecting on that experience, Spencer shared, “It was a thrilling moment when I finally got to do it. Walking onto the set for the first time, with the live audience applauding my character’s presence in the living room, was unforgettable. It’s a significant milestone, being on Sheldon’s couch.”

Initially, Emily appeared to be a promising match for Raj, despite the future revelation of her darker traits. Audiences were intrigued by her unique personality, including her peculiar interests. Spencer believed Emily was an ideal partner for Raj, envisioning a happy ending for the couple.

Ultimately, Emily’s character took a complex turn, at times living up to Spencer’s mixed predictions. Despite the character’s departure, Laura Spencer has continued to pursue various opportunities beyond “The Big Bang Theory.”

“I’m rooting for Raj and Emily is that I think Emily gets Raj, and I think she celebrates his quirkiness and loves his nerdiness,” Spencer told TV Watchtower in 2014.” She doesn’t ever criticize him and she just seems to be very open with whatever he is in to. And it seems like he does the same with her.” While on paper, that does indeed seem to be a good combination and a good place to begin a long-lasting relationship, even Spencer acknowledged that things could go wrong, given her character’s darker side. “She clearly has these weird dark interests,” Spencer admitted. “Let’s hope she’s not secretly really awful.” 

As fate would have it, though, Spencer’s hopes turned out to be a mixed bag — as Emily did indeed turn out to be pretty awful, depending on the day. But don’t worry about Spencer. She’s had plenty to do since leaving “The Big Bang Theory.”

Along with Laura Spencer, there are surely many fans who wanted to see Emily stick around on “The Big Bang Theory” longer than she did. In reality, she wound up having a much bigger part than anyone expected, and Spencer revealed (in that 2014 interview with TV Watchtower) she only thought she’d get one episode as Emily Sweeney.

“The biggest surprise has just been getting the role and how it has grown,” Spencer said. “When I auditioned for it, I only knew that I would be on for one episode.” Ultimately, Spencer got five episodes in her first season with the show, and a dozen more in the following years. “It was cool to work on the show once, and then to get to come back and to learn more about more character and to work with everyone on the cast, by now has just been a dream come true.” Spencer says her favorite aspect of working on “The Big Bang Theory” is working with a live audience, and of course, having a big, passionate base of fans. “They are so loving and supportive through the whole taping. That’s just been a real joy to see and experience.”

Even though Spencer only wound up with 17 episodes — a small percentage of the show’s whopping 279 installments — she’ll forever be a part of the “Big Bang Theory” family, even as one of the few actors to join — and leave — the main cast. If only her story hadn’t left many fans hating her character by the end of the series. Certainly that was no fault of Spencer’s.