'Young Sheldon' News: Big Bang Theory Prequel Gets Full Series Order From CBS
"The Big Bang Theory" prequel "Young Sheldon" finally receives the green light for a full season pickup. Following the show's remarkable performance at its premiere last Monday, CBS made an order for nine additional episodes bringing the inaugural season's episode count to 22.
The show's premiere averaged 17.2 million viewers and retained an impressive 98 percent of "The Big Bang Theory" lead-in audience. Previously picked up for 13 episodes, Young Sheldon is the first new series of the 2017 - 2018 season to receive a full-season pickup.
The series follows a 9-year-old Sheldon Cooper growing up in Texas with his family, giving fans a look at his life before he met Amy and the gang. Iain Armitage as a younger version of Jim Parsons's character in The Big Bang Theory, which has become the most watch CBS comedy series since 2011.
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It's still too early to say if "Young Sheldon" will retain the massive momentum it gained on its Sept. 25 premiere, especially with CBS' decision to air the second episode several weeks later. However, the network said it is committed to promoting the show on-air during its hiatus until it returns to its regular time period on Thursday, Nov. 2.
Aside from Armitage, the series also stars Lance Barber as Sheldon's father George Cooper Sr. and Zoe Perry as Mary Cooper. Perry is the real-life daughter of Laurie Metcalf who plays Mary Cooper in "The Big Bang Theory." Other cast members include Annie Potts, Montana Jordan, Raegan Revord and the voice of Jim Parsons.
The series is produced by Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros Television with Chuck Lorre, Steven Molaro, Parsons and Todd Spiewak serving as executive producers. Jon Favreau served as director and executive producer for the series' pilot episode.
"Young Sheldon" is set to air every Thursday 8:30 p.m. ET starting Nov. 2.
