Young Sheldon Seasons 1-5 will soon be available on Netflix. Let's explore the Big Bang Theory spinoff and find out if the show is based on a true story. It's been an exciting week for Young Sheldon fans, with the show heading to Netflix US and news of its upcoming Season 7 being the last.
Rest assured that there are 14 more episodes to come, along with a new Big Bang Theory spinoff currently in the works. The spinoff, led by Chuck Lorre, was announced earlier this year. In the meantime, fans can enjoy all the highlights from the series with Young Sheldon coming to Netflix US. The question remains: is the show inspired by true events?
Is Young Sheldon based on a true story?
While Young Sheldon is a piece of fiction and not grounded in reality, Lorre has disclosed that the main character – a younger iteration of The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper – drew inspiration from Jim Parson's real-life nephew.
Parson plays the older Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory, while Iain Armitage portrays him in Young Sheldon. However, it was Parson who inspired Lorre to create the spinoff.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last year, Lorre was asked why he decided to focus on Young Sheldon next. He responded, "The idea started with a phone call from Jim Parsons, who sent me a video of his 10-year-old nephew in Texas. The boy was a prodigy - incredibly brilliant, extraordinary, and off-the-charts intelligent."
"Jim inquired, 'Is there any potential for this?' I replied, 'Certainly, if we were considering a series centered around a witty and intelligent young man - a comedy - we already have that in the character of Sheldon Cooper.'"
Over the years, we have gained insights into the life of Big Bang, including his mother, upbringing in Texas, and relationships with his sister and brother. We had the backstory in place and were considering executing it as its own show. For me, it was pretty straightforward, and if Steve [Molaro] had rejected the idea, I wouldn't have pursued it.
Before this, Parsons shared with Entertainment Weekly in 2017: "We were asked by [CBS] executives, 'Would you look into your own life? Because those pitch well.' So we were exploring my family, particularly my sister's kids, including one of my nephews who is very smart."
They often said, "Where did he come from?" But not in a Sheldon way. So we thought it was a good idea. As we talked more - since they're in Texas - it seemed to connect. Parsons then presented the idea to Lorre, and as they say, the rest is history.
Young Sheldon Seasons 1-5 arrive on Netflix US on November 24, and you can check out more of our coverage below:
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the upcoming release of Young Sheldon Seasons 1-5 on Netflix. I have been a fan of the show since its inception and am eager to see what the new seasons have in store.
I appreciate that the show is not based on a true story but inspired by the real-life nephew of Jim Parsons, who plays the older Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory. This gives the show a sense of authenticity and makes it more relatable to viewers.
I also find it interesting that the show's creators decided to focus on Sheldon's younger years. This allows us to see how he developed into the character we know and love in The Big Bang Theory. Overall, I am excited about the new seasons of Young Sheldon and look forward to seeing what the show has in store.