Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Big Bang Theory spinoff series based on young Sheldon Cooper in development

The show will reportedly be like Malcolm in the Middle

Jack Shepherd
Tuesday 08 November 2016 13:32 GMT
Comments
(CBS)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

What do TV executives do when a hit show comes to an end? They create a spin-off, of course! While some have been pretty catastrophic (Joey - Friends), some spin-offs have been so successful they become more popular than the original show (Frasier - Cheers).

With The Big Bang Theory having yet to be renewed past its 10th season despite being the most popular comedy on American TV with the all-important adults 18-49 demographic, it should come as no surprise to learn CBS is looking at the spin-off option.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a source revealed Big Bang co-creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, along with showrunner Steve Molaro, are working on a new series based on the early life of Jim Parsons' Dr. Sheldon Cooper.

One insider described the project to the publication as ‘Malcolm in the Middle but with a young and potentially teenage version of Sheldon’.

None of the main cast members are thought to be in talks to star while CBC and producers Warner Bros have so far declined to comment on the situation.

The report also details how, if Big Bang is to continue, it relies heavily on whether the cast decides to return. Kunal Nayyar spoke about the possibility earlier this year, saying: "To be completely honest…I know people are gonna want to know what happens after season 10. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Late last year, showrunner Steve Molaro was asked whether season 10 will be the final outing, to which he replied: "I think so. I can't speak to the future or on behalf of the cast or where we'll be then but it's certainly possible that it could go past that.The reality is that maybe season 10 is the ending point."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in