What Jim Parsons Got ‘To Find Out’ About Sheldon Through Voiceover Work for ‘Young Sheldon’: What He Never Learned During ‘The Big Bang Theory’

What Jim Parsons discovered about Sheldon Cooper via 'Young Sheldon.' Character information he never would have learned in 'The Big Bang Theory.'

by Josh Lezmi

Published on January 8, 2021

2 min read

For 12 seasons and 279 episodes, Jim Parsons embodied Sheldon Cooper in the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory. The actor portrayed the socially inept, highly intelligent physicist with ease; yet, in between condescending one-liners and awkward interactions, the character’s deeper complexities emerged. The seemingly one-dimensional scientist transformed across time, earning Parsons a total of six Emmy nominations and four wins.

Iain Armitage (L) and Jim Parsons of 'Young Sheldon' — Iain Armitage (L) and Jim Parsons of ‘Young Sheldon’ | Michael Tran / Contributor

Though Parsons spent over a decade on the series, he didn’t get to discover all there is to know about Sheldon. And, doing voiceover work for the spinoff series Young Sheldon has provided some insight into the character. During an interview with TVLine, Jim Parsons explained that, though he is no longer in The Big Bang Theory, his connection to Cooper remains ever-present due to Young Sheldon.

Jim Parsons talks about his involvement with ‘Young Sheldon’

Parsons got to learn a great deal about Sheldon in TBBT — how he acts as a friend and the kind of man he is in a relationship. However, he didn’t get the chance to discover the type of father the character would be until Young Sheldon. Parsons shared:

“In fact, I’ve already done voiceovers [on Young Sheldon] from ages that are older than I ever got with Sheldon [on Big Bang]. He spoke of his children last season, and obviously we haven’t seen that yet. I will get to hear where [the writers’] imaginations take that character… that I never would’ve gotten to find out otherwise.”
Parsons | as qtd. by TVSeriesFinale

Through Young Sheldon, Parsons gets to see where the character goes, and how he came to be the man he is in The Big Bang Theory. Thus, the character lives on — within and outside of Parsons.

Will there be more ‘The Big Bang Theory’ spinoffs like ‘Young Sheldon?’

While fans of The Big Bang Theory would likely tune in to see spinoffs about any of the various characters who appeared, it would take a strong narrative to get those behind the original production onboard. Executive Producer Chuck Lorre explained:

“Unless there was a creative reason to do it — a wonderfully, wonderfully creative reason to do it — than the only reason [to do it] is economics, and that’s not good enough. This is hard work. And if you’re going to do it, you gotta love what you’re doing; you’ve gotta be passionate about it. And if you’re just chasing money, that’s not enough.”
Chuck Lorre | as qtd. by TVSeriesFinale

Lorre explained that creating TV is an art — not merely a money-making game. Thus, other spinoffs of The Big Bang Theory will have much to prove before getting greenlit.