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Entertainment • TV Series

Young Sheldon

Young Sheldon is an American sitcom television series created by Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Young Sheldon is an American sitcom television series created by Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro. It is a spin-off prequel to The Big Bang Theory and follows the childhood of Sheldon Cooper as he grows up in East Texas. The series aired on CBS from September 25, 2017, to May 16, 2024.

Premise

Young Sheldon is both a spin-off and a prequel to The Big Bang Theory. The series follows Sheldon Cooper’s childhood in East Texas, focusing on his experiences as a highly gifted child in a family and community that often struggle to understand him. The story is set from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, and centers on Sheldon as a child prodigy growing up with his family.

Production and broadcast

The series was created by Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro for CBS. It aired from September 25, 2017, to May 16, 2024. It began with a special preview before becoming a regular weekly series. The series ran for 7 seasons.

Relation to The Big Bang Theory

Young Sheldon is both a spin-off and a prequel to The Big Bang Theory. The series expands the backstory of Sheldon Cooper, a character from The Big Bang Theory, and is narrated by Jim Parsons, who played the adult version of Sheldon in the parent series.

Cast and characters

Iain Armitage stars as Sheldon Cooper. The show also features his family, including his mother, father, twin sister, older brother, and grandmother. Jim Parsons, who played the adult Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory, narrates the series and serves as an executive producer.

Key facts

  • The series centers on Sheldon Cooper as a child prodigy growing up with his family in Texas.
  • It is both a spin-off and a prequel to The Big Bang Theory.
  • Iain Armitage portrays young Sheldon Cooper, while Jim Parsons narrates and serves as an executive producer.
  • The show premiered on CBS on September 25, 2017, and ended on May 16, 2024.
  • The story is set from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s.
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Canadian context

Young Sheldon aired widely in Canada through major English-language television distribution and was part of the broader North American broadcast success of The Big Bang Theory franchise.

Frequently asked questions

What is Young Sheldon?
Young Sheldon is an American sitcom about the childhood of Sheldon Cooper, the character originally introduced in The Big Bang Theory.
Who created Young Sheldon?
The series was created by Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro.
When did Young Sheldon air?
It aired on CBS from September 25, 2017, to May 16, 2024.
Who plays Sheldon Cooper in Young Sheldon?
Iain Armitage plays the young Sheldon Cooper, while Jim Parsons narrates the series.
Is Young Sheldon a prequel?
Yes. It is a prequel and spin-off of The Big Bang Theory.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Sheldon
    Supports: Created by Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro; American sitcom; spin-off prequel; CBS run dates; East Texas setting.
  2. Wikipedia Simple English — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Sheldon
    Supports: CBS premiere and final air date; spin-off prequel description.
  3. Wikipedia — https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Sheldon
    Supports: Iain Armitage as protagonist; Jim Parsons narrates and is executive producer.
  4. Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Sheldon
    Supports: Seven seasons and 141 episodes; 2017 to 2024 broadcast; Sheldon’s age and Texas setting.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheldon_Cooper
    Supports: Sheldon Cooper as the central character; family members depicted in Young Sheldon.