Jim Parsons Speaks About 'Big Bang Theory' Young Sheldon Spin-Off

‘Big Bang Theory’ star Jim Parsons has spoken about the upcoming spin-off series focusing on his character Sheldon, which is currently in development at CBS.

The series will follow a young, potentially teenage version of Sheldon Cooper, and while the role will require a new actor to play the future physicist Parsons will serve as executive producer. Parsons offered some advice for whomever gets cast in the role. "I would advise that actor to watch me as little as possible, and take that thing by the horns, and make it your own," he said.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, the actor added that the decision to do a spinoff based on Sheldon’s formative years was an opportunity too good to pass up. "The writers have done, from the beginning, such a good job of building such a history and a layered nature to all these characters," he said.

"It just seems like a really wasted opportunity if you don't decide to explore the origin story with that. I mean, they've layered so many things in there over the past decade that is already there to be drawn from. I'm really excited about it. I think it will be very different than Big Bang, but in a good way.”

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News of the spin-off was first revealed by The Hollywood Reporter back in November. According to their report, the series is being described as “Malcolm in the Middle but with a young and potentially teenage version of Sheldon”.

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