The success of Big Bang Theory has led CBS to make a quick decision on a spinoff prequel series following a younger Sheldon Cooper. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the prequel series entitled Young Sheldon is heading straight to a series pickup.
The prequel series will welcome back Jim Parsons, who will serve as the narrator for the series looking back on his younger days. It is a similar model previously used by The Wonder Years with Kevin Arnold and currently used by The Goldbergs with Adam Goldberg. Only this time, it will be the sometimes-too-smart-for-his-own-good Sheldon Cooper retelling the story of his adolescent life.
We also now know who will taking on the role of the younger boy genius. That role will be portrayed by Iain Armitage (Big Little Lies). Cooper’s mother will be played by Zoe Perry (Lauri Metcalfe plays the character of Mary Cooper in Big Bang Theory).
Given the success of Big Bang Theory and the popularity of Parsons and his character, it was expected CBS would be optimistic about spinning the series off centered around Sheldon Cooper. Going all in right out of the batter’s box with a full series order proves the network is ready to see what this one can do. And with Big Bang Theory getting set to wind down its 10th season, the expiration date for one sitcom may be approaching and making room for another. This just seems like a natural transition for CBS and should help keep the Big Bang Theory audience plugged in.
Given all of the background on Sheldon and his younger days that has been shared to date, fans should expect to potentially get some more visual recallings of any number of Sheldon’s tales, but there will undoubtedly be more original content to work with. The story of a brainy child growing up in Texas with a vastly different philosophy to his mother and basically everyone else around him in Texas should be worth a look.
