CBS’ The Big Bang Theory prequel, Young Sheldon, was granted a three-season renewal by CBS, allowing the series to remain on-air through the 2023-2024 broadcast season, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The series hails from Chuck Lorre (Two and a Half Men) and Steve Molaro (Drake & Josh Go Hollywood), both of whom worked on The Big Bang Theory.
Preceding the events of The Big Bang Theory, where Jim Parsons (Hollywood) plays the role of Sheldon Cooper, a genius and unintentionally humorous physicist working at the California Institute of Technology, Young Sheldon follows nine-year-old Sheldon entering high school as a physics prodigy. Parsons is still attached to the series, despite not starring in it; while Parsons plays the role of narrator and producer of the show, Iain Armitage (Big Little Lies) plays a younger version of Sheldon Cooper. The show’s renewal is its second multiple-season renewal, having received its previous two-season renewal.
CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl stated of the show’s immense success, “Under Chuck Lorre and Steve Molaro’s deft leadership, this superb cast and gifted writers have truly brought these wonderful characters to life. Young Sheldon dominates the broadcast comedy landscape by over 2.5 million viewers and is the lynchpin of CBS’ top-rated Thursday comedy lineup. The humor, warmth, and heart exuded by the Cooper family is an undeniable hook for the millions of fans who tune in each week. We’re excited to see what the next three seasons have in store for a slightly older Sheldon and all the Coopers,” via The Hollywood Reporter. Following the cancellation of its mothership series, Young Sheldon took over The Big Bang Theory‘s Thursday 8 p.m. slot and averages more than 9.6 million viewers each week.
The prequel series joins the list of recently renewed CBS shows, alongside the Lorre-produced Bob Hearts Abishola and The Neighborhood as well as FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, and The Equalizer for the 2021-2022 schedule. Lorre maintains his status as one of the most essential CBS producers, being responsible for all of CBS’ Thursday primetime originals. As fans wait patiently for upcoming seasons of Young Sheldon, the show currently has three seasons available to stream on HBO Max.