The series is a spin-off prequel to The Big Bang Theory that takes place during the late s and early-to-mids, and follows child prodigy Sheldon Cooper as he grows up with his family in East Texas. Development of the prequel series began in November , from an initial idea that Parsons passed along to The Big Bang Theory producers. Young Sheldon premiered as a special preview on September 25, , and was picked up for a full season that began airing weekly on November 2, In November , CBS announced that the series would end after its seventh season.
In January , it was announced that a spin-off series focused on Georgie Cooper and Mandy McAllister was in development. The first episode was broadcast on October 17, The series follows Sheldon Cooper's early life as a child prodigy in the fictional town of Medford, Texas.
As he grows up, he tries to fit into a world of people, including his own family and friends, who struggle to cope with his intellectual capabilities and social ineptitude. The prequel series, described as "a Malcolm in the Middle -esque single-camera family comedy" would be executive produced by The Big Bang Theory co-creator Chuck Lorre and producer Steven Molaro , with The Big Bang Theory co-creator Bill Prady expected to be involved in some capacity, and intended to air in the β18 season alongside The Big Bang Theory.
Jon Favreau directed and executive produced the pilot. On February 22, , CBS renewed the series for both a third and a fourth season. Television suspended production on March 13, , due to the COVID pandemic , leaving the third season with only 21 episodes. On March 30, , CBS renewed the series for a fifth, sixth, and seventh season. In October of that year, writing resumed when the strike ended. Jim Parsons reprises his role as adult Sheldon Cooper, as narrator for the series. Jim Parsons provides voiceover for the series.
In the Season 4 episode "Graduation", Mayim Bialik as Amy, the wife of adult Sheldon has a brief voice-over role while Sheldon describes the graduation party for their son Leonard, whom he reveals was named after Leonard Hofstadter and Leonard Nimoy. Amy and Sheldon make their only on-camera appearances together during the series finale in the office of their Pasadena, California home in an unnamed future year, as neither of their children had been born when The Big Bang Theory ended in Bob Newhart appears as Professor Proton in both series; with the appearance in this series, the character is made to look younger.
