CBS today announced the series order ofYoung Sheldon, a new half-hour, single-camera comedy for broadcast in the 2017-2018 season. Created byChuck Lorre&Steven Molaro, the series followsThe Big Bang Theory’sSheldon Cooperat the age of 9, living with his family in East Texas and going to high school.The Big Bang TheorystarJim Parsonswill also narrate the comedy as Adult Sheldon.
Jon Favreauis directing/executive producing the first episode of the series, which starsIain Armitageas 9-year-old Sheldon Cooper, as well asZoe Perry,Lance Barber,Raegan RevordandMontana Jordan. WhileJon Favreauis best known for his work in directing big-budget movies likeIron Manand most recentlyThe Jungle Book, he has directed a number of successful TV pilot before as well. He directed the pilots for NBC showsRevolutionandAbout A Boy, while also directing the series finale episode of NBC’sThe Office. He also directs the upcoming pilotOrvillefor creator-starSeth MacFarlane.
Chuck Lorre,Steven Molaro,Jim ParsonsandTodd Spiewakwill serve as executive producers of theBig Bang Theory prequel series, from Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television. TheCBSseries will follow Sheldon living in Texas with his twin sister Missy, his older brother George and his devout Evangelical Christian mother Mary. Mary’s estranged husband, and Shedlon’s father, George Cooper, will be an absentee who is often heard about but seldom seen. He is described as a mean alcoholic. But the sitcom probably won’t venture into controversial material when it comes to George’s portrayal.
Some of these characters have already been featured onThe Big Bang Theory, especially Sheldon’s mother Mary, played byLaurie Metcalf.Zoey Perry, who is playing the younger Mary, is actuallyLaurie Metcalf’s real-life daughter. While Sheldon’s brother George Jr. and his father George have never been seen on the original series,Courtney Henggelerplayed Missy in a Season 1 episode Fans also saw Sheldon’s grandmother, affectionately known as “Meemaw,” in a Season 9 episode, portrayed byJune Squibb. Sheldon’s grandfather, “Pop-pop,” passed away when Sheldon was just five years old, but it’s possible we could see “Pop-pop” in flashbacks.
CBS announced last month that it isrenewing Big Bang Theoryfor two more seasons, bringing its run through Season 12, at the very least. It hasn’t been confirmed if Season 12 will be its last or not, but that may be the case if the ratings keep slipping. The Season 10 premiere drew in an average of 15.8 million viewers, which was the lowest-rated season premiere since Season 6. It hasn’t been announced when production will begin on theYoung Sheldonpilot yet, or if there are additional roles that need to be cast for the pilot.
