A new spinoff of The Big Bang Theory is in the works as Young Sheldon nears its potential end. Back in March, Young Sheldon executive producer Steve Holland talked about how the long-running prequel could come to a conclusion with season 7. As explained by Holland, the potential writers' strike that's looming in Hollywood could affect the storytelling choices of the upcoming episodes. Still, the executive producer made sure to note that no final decisions have been made.
And now, with the uncertainty surrounding Young Sheldon, it's been confirmed by Warner Bros. that a spinoff of the immensely popular Big Bang Theory is being developed for the newly-branded Max streaming service. The series will hail from Big Bang Theory creator Chuck Lorre, and it's set in the universe of The Big Bang Theory. But, as the project is in very early development, it's unclear which characters this new show would focus on.
Young Sheldon Is The Perfect Template For A Big Bang Spinoff
The project, which was announced at Wednesday's presentation for the rebranded Max streaming service, will have a lot of people guessing considering the number of notable characters in TBBT's universe. But regardless of what shape the spinoff ultimately takes, Young Sheldon provides an excellent example to follow on more than just one level.
A success in terms of its ratings, and a quiet hit with critics, Young Sheldon demonstrates how careful casting and a considered shift in tone can broaden the scope of a show. Iain Armitage is excellent as the titular character, having very much matured with the role, and he's been surrounded by a strong ensemble that is able to explore relatively darker themes and linger on difficult scenes without the prequel losing touch with its levity. It also accomplishes a key task of any prequel, which is to deepen and reframe the protagonist
It's possible that whatever the announced Big Bang Theory spinoff is, it will favor a different approach. The original was a fairly traditional comedy, with Young Sheldon representing a more grounded prequel, and this new project may well chart its own path. But, considering the uniquely enduring success of The Big Bang Theory, both in streaming and in syndication, it's not a surprise that another spinoff is being highlighted as one of the draws for a revamped streaming platform.
Source: Warner Bros.