Annie Potts Expresses Surprise Over 'Young Sheldon' Cancellation: Criticizes CBS Decision as Ill-Advised

Annie Potts Was Completely Unprepared for Young Sheldon Cancellation A Stupid Business Move

Annie Potts Rich Polk/Getty Images for IMDb

Annie Potts, a veteran actress with a long-standing career in television, was taken by surprise when Young Sheldon was unexpectedly canceled after seven successful seasons. Potts, who portrayed a character in 134 out of the total 136 episodes of the series, expressed her feelings of being "completely unprepared" for the show's ending in an interview with Variety.

"I couldn't believe it. The top show on network TV, the top show on Netflix," she exclaimed. "I feel like we're basically all that people watch on TikTok, except for a few pasta recipes. It just felt like a really dumb decision for the business."

Potts also mentioned that she wasn't alone in being surprised by the sudden end.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not sure. Usually, when a show starts to slow down or lack interesting stories, you can anticipate it. But this time, it completely caught us off guard," she said.

Annie Potts Was Completely Unprepared for Young Sheldon Cancellation A Stupid Business Move

Young Sheldon, the prequel spinoff to The Big Bang Theory, premiered in 2017 and just finished filming last week. It features Iain Armitage as the young version of Sheldon Cooper, a brilliant but socially awkward character. Annie Potts portrays Cooper's grandmother in the show.

After CBS announced in November 2023 that the series would not be renewed, executive producers Steve Holland, Steven Molaro and Chuck Lorre released a joint statement expressing their gratitude to the fans for embracing the story of Sheldon Cooper and his family over the past six seasons. They also mentioned their excitement to share the final season with the viewers.

Looking back at the show that has been a significant part of her career, Potts reflected on the impact Young Sheldon has had on her professional journey.

"It’s been half of Iain’s life and a 10th of mine, but at 70, it feels significant," she expressed. "In our little village, we’ve always taken care of each other and lifted each other up. The void in my life will be profound. It will get easier though, as grief and loss tend to do."

Armitage, who is 15 years old, shared a similar sentiment, saying, "It’s difficult in a strange way that I can only truly grasp when I look at the bigger picture. It’s tough to accept that I won’t get to see Annie Potts every day. This loss hits me harder than anyone else."

Young Sheldon’s series finale airs on CBS Thursday, May 16.

Editor's P/S:

The abrupt cancellation of "Young Sheldon" has left Annie Potts and other cast members reeling. Potts, who played Sheldon's grandmother for seven seasons, was particularly surprised, as the show had consistently high ratings and a loyal fanbase. She expressed concerns about the business decision, suggesting that it was not based on a decline in popularity or quality. Potts emphasized the significant impact the show has had on her career, calling it a "profound" experience.

Despite the disappointment over the cancellation, Potts and Armitage both acknowledged the inevitable passage of time and the need to move on. Potts expressed her gratitude for the experience and the relationships she built on set, while Armitage reflected on the growth he has experienced during his time on the show. The series finale will air on May 16th, offering fans a chance to say goodbye to the beloved characters and storylines that have captivated them for the past seven years.