Which character is played by Sara Gilbert?

Sara Gilbert played Leslie Winkle in The Big Bang Theory. Leslie is a physicist at Caltech and a colleague of Leonard Hofstadter, making her one of the show's recurring scientists rather than one of its central romantic characters.

Gilbert first appeared as Leslie in 2007 and returned across several seasons, including a larger role early in season two. The character briefly dates Leonard and also has a flirtatious connection with Howard Wolowitz. Her sharp, skeptical personality provides a contrast to the more socially awkward members of the main group.

Viewers sometimes confuse Leslie with Penny, Amy Farrah Fowler, or Bernadette Rostenkowski because all four women are associated with the show's core cast at different points. Penny is played by Kaley Cuoco, Amy by Mayim Bialik, and Bernadette by Melissa Rauch. Gilbert's best-known earlier role was Darlene Conner on Roseanne, which is another common source of recognition.