‘Young Sheldon’ Air Date, Cast News: Another ‘Big Bang Theory’ Key Character Added
Sheldon Cooper’s beloved grandmother in “Big Bang Theory” will also be a key character in “Young Sheldon.” The CBS show booked Annie Potts for the iconic role of Meemaw, the most influential person in Sheldon’s life.
Jim Parson’s Sheldon constantly made mention of Meemaw in the early seasons of “Big Bang Theory.” In the show’s ninth season, June Squibb played the character when Meemaw made a short visit to her grandson in California.
In Sheldon’s eyes, the ever supportive Meemaw can never do anything wrong. But on “Young Sheldon,” Potts’ character has been described as a “foul-mouthed, hard-drinking Texas grandmother.”
“Young Sheldon” features Iain Armitage as the 9-year-old child genius high schooler from East Texas. Making up the rest of the Cooper family are Zoe Perry (Mary Cooper), Lance Barber (George Cooper Sr.), Raegan Revord (Missy Cooper) and Montana Jordan (George Cooper Jr.). Parsons will narrate the episodes.
As hinted in the teaser, “Young Sheldon” will open with his first day in high school. Sheldon’s older brother resents the fact that they will be in the same classes, while Sheldon’s twin sister is happy he’s no longer in her classes.
Parsons had the idea to develop his famous character’s early beginnings into a spinoff TV series. “We had this idea about my little nephew, who is really smart, down in Texas,” he said. “My family is pretty average — no offense to them, but they’re very normal, and he’s very smart. One thing led to another and I thought, ‘This could be Sheldon.'”
Parsons approached “Big Bang Theory” creators Chuck Lorre and Steve Molaro to help with the project and enlisted Todd Spiewak as the show’s executive producer. “Iron Man” director Jon Favreau helmed the pilot episode.
CBS made a straight-to-series order for “Young Sheldon” in March. The show will begin its run on Monday, Sept. 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET but the network will air the series back-to-back with “Big Bang Theory” beginning November.
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