While negotiations continue with the cast of The Big Bang Theory for a two-year renewal, the spin-off, Young Sheldon, has been given a straight-to-series order. Additionally, the rest of the show's cast has been announced along with word that Jon Favreau will be serving as director of the first episode.
Chronicling the youth of Jim Parson's Big Bang character of Sheldon Cooper, the show will be set in Texas and feature Sheldon's interactions with the rest of his family, some of whom we've already met. An additional appeal to the audience is that Parsons himself will narrate the show — which has most closely been compared to Malcolm In The Middle — that features Sheldon as a nine-year-old.
The title character will be played by Iain Armitage, who will be joined by Zoe Perry as his mother (played by Laurie Metcalfe on BBT), Raegan Revard as his twin sister, Montana Jordan as his brother and Lance Barber his father, who has already passed away at the time of the main series.
Favreau, a director comfortable working on the big screen as well as the small, serves as executive producer and director of the first episode. Parsons, who came up with the concept for the series, is an executive producer along with Chuck Lorre, and Steven Molaro, who also serves as showrunner.
• The Big Bang Theory: Jim Parsons Talks The Sheldon Spin-Off