If you spent any part of the 2010s glued to a TV screen, you probably have a specific image of the 2 Broke Girls actress duo burned into your brain. Kat Dennings with her signature pale skin and dark lipstick, firing off sarcasm like a semi-automatic. Beth Behrs as the blonde, frantic heiress-turned-waitress, perpetually clutching a pearl necklace while trying to save a horse in a Brooklyn backyard.
They were the ultimate odd couple. It was a show that people either loved with a passion or hated with a burning intensity, mostly because of its raunchy, borderline-offensive humor that somehow survived six seasons on CBS. But then, in 2017, the cupcake shop closed its doors for good. No finale. No big wedding. Just a sudden "canceled" notice that left fans staring at a cliffhanger.
Honestly, the transition from being the "broke girls" to real-life Hollywood power players has been a wild ride. You’d think after 138 episodes together, they’d be sick of each other. Surprisingly, it's the opposite.
The 2 Broke Girls Actress Bond: Why They Didn't Pull a Sex and the City
We've all heard the stories about co-stars who can’t stand to be in the same zip code once the cameras stop rolling. But Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs are the rare exception. They aren’t just "work friends" who post a throwback photo once a year for engagement. They are actually obsessed with each other.
When the show was canceled, Kat famously tweeted that they’d have a "lifelong friendship," and she wasn’t kidding. She was a bridesmaid in Beth’s 2018 wedding to Mad Men actor Michael Gladis. They’ve stuck together through career shifts, marriages, and the general chaos of aging in the public eye.
Kat has talked about how they were basically "in the trenches" together. They started the show in their early 20s. Beth has admitted she was actually a "real broke girl" at the time of her audition, showing up in cowboy boots because she couldn't afford high heels and keeping the tags on her Nordstrom clothes so she could return them after her screen tests. That kind of shared history creates a bond that’s hard to break, even when the paycheck stops.
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Where is Kat Dennings in 2026?
If you're looking for the darker half of the 2 Broke Girls actress pair, you'll find her thriving in a very different vibe. Kat Dennings has spent the last few years leaning into her "indie-cool-meets-Marvel" status.
Shifting Gears and the Tim Allen Connection
As of early 2026, Kat is starring in the ABC sitcom Shifting Gears. She plays Riley, the daughter of a stubborn widower (played by Tim Allen) who runs a classic car restoration shop. It’s a bit of a departure from the gritty Brooklyn diner, but Kat brings that same dry, sharp-witted energy that made Max Black a household name. She's also a producer on the show, which is a big move. It shows she’s not just waiting for scripts anymore; she’s the one helping run the room.
The Andrew W.K. Era
On a personal level, Kat’s life is basically a goth-rock fairytale. In late 2023, she married musician Andrew W.K. in their backyard. No fancy hotel, no massive paparazzi frenzy. Just a cozy, DIY wedding where she did her own makeup and helped build the altar. It’s very on-brand for her. They’re that couple that dresses up as a cat and a wizard for Halloween and actually means it.
Beth Behrs: From Cupcakes to The Neighborhood
Beth Behrs took a slightly more traditional sitcom route, but she’s arguably had even more consistent TV success since the show ended.
For the past eight years, she’s been the heart of The Neighborhood on CBS. Playing Gemma Johnson, she’s moved from the "broke" girl to the "Midwestern mom trying to fit in in LA" girl. As the show enters its final season in 2026, Beth has been getting pretty emotional about it. She recently shared a post reflecting on how her 20s were defined by 2 Broke Girls and her 30s by The Neighborhood.
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But don't think she's just a sitcom actress. Beth is actually a trained singer with a massive love for Broadway. She’s currently eyeing a move to the stage—specifically mentioning a dream of doing The Sound of Music. She also runs a non-profit called SheHerdPower, which uses equine therapy (yes, like Chestnut the horse!) to help survivors of sexual assault.
The Cancellation Scandal: What Really Happened?
People still ask why 2 Broke Girls was canceled when the ratings were still decent. It wasn’t just about the "raunchy" jokes or the criticism over Han Lee’s character (played by Matthew Moy).
It was a cold, hard business move.
- Ownership issues: CBS didn't actually own the show; Warner Bros. Television did.
- Profit margins: Because CBS didn't own it, they didn't get the massive syndication money.
- Budget: The cost of keeping the show going was climbing, and the network decided they’d rather put that money into new shows they owned 100%.
It was a "money thing," plain and simple. Kat and Beth didn't even get to say a proper goodbye to their characters, which is why both of them are still asked about a reboot almost every single week.
Will There Be a 2 Broke Girls Reboot?
Short answer: Maybe.
Long answer: Both actresses have said they’re down for it. Kat has gone on record saying she felt "robbed" of a wrap-up. In 2025 and early 2026, rumors started swirling about a limited series or a "where are they now" movie.
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There was actually a plan to have Kat guest-star on Beth’s show, The Neighborhood, a couple of seasons ago. It didn't happen because of scheduling, but the fact that producers are trying to find ways to put them back on screen together is a huge sign. Fans want it. The actresses want it. It’s mostly just a matter of getting the rights sorted between the big studios.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of people think the 2 Broke Girls actress duo drifted apart because they don't post together every day. But in the world of Hollywood, "no news" usually means a healthy, private friendship. They aren't chasing clout; they're just living their lives.
What To Do Next if You're a Fan
If you’re missing the Max and Caroline energy, here’s how to keep up with them right now:
- Watch Shifting Gears: Check out Kat Dennings on ABC. It’s got that classic multi-cam sitcom feel but with a more mature Kat.
- Catch The Neighborhood Finale: Watch Beth Behrs wrap up her eight-year run as Gemma Johnson on CBS this year.
- Follow their Socials: Kat is great for DIY home tips and weirdly satisfying gardening content; Beth is the go-to for country music recommendations and animal rescue updates.
- Stream the Original: The show is currently a massive hit on Netflix (again). Seeing it through a 2026 lens is... an experience. Some of it hasn't aged well, but the chemistry between the two leads is still electric.
The "broke girls" aren't broke anymore, and they aren't girls—they're veterans of the industry who managed to survive the sitcom grind with their friendship and their sanity intact. That’s a bigger win than any cupcake business could have ever been.
Next Steps for Your Fandom:
- Check out Kat Dennings' production credits on IMDB to see the projects she's developing behind the scenes.
- Look into Beth Behrs' SheHerdPower foundation if you're interested in how she's using her platform for activism.
- Re-watch the pilot episode of 2 Broke Girls to see just how much their style and comedic timing evolved over a decade.