Jim Parsons Gets Emotional Watching Iain Armitage Play Sheldon In ‘Young Sheldon’

Jim Parsons was moved when he saw Iain Armitage play the role of a younger version of his “Big Bang Theory” character, Sheldon Cooper.

In the CBS series’ prequel, titled “Young Sheldon,” Armitage will give life to Sheldon back when he was just around 9 or 10 years old. He is still living with his entire family in Texas. Fans got to know the character some 10 seasons ago as a smart, witty, awkward and opinionated man who is struggling to live independently. But there’s so much history to explore for the character, and fans will finally know how he became the man that he is today.

While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Parsons said, “Watching Iain bring this young version of this character to life that I’ve been working on for a decade of my own life, it was really moving. I felt such a sympathy for this little guy. It was kind of mind blowing to see him brought to life through Iain.”

Parsons added that watching Armitage play the role of young Sheldon also encouraged him to reflect on his own life and career. “I don’t think I’ve forgotten how much fun everything is, but maybe a little bit, because it definitely feels like a reminder of something when I watch Iain work on all of this stuff and do all this stuff,” he said.

Meanwhile, those who haven’t seen “Big Bang Theory” will thoroughly enjoy “Young Sheldon” because the two are standalone from each other. Parsons said that the latter is an origin story centered on a small Texan family that has three children, one of which is very special. Parsons will be narrating the show, but his good friends in the current timeline will not be part of “Young Sheldon.”

“It’s really an origin story, and it’s a bit of a memory play in that way too,” he said.

“Young Sheldon” also stars Zoe Perry as Sheldon’s mom, Mary; Lance Barber as Sheldon’s dad, George; Annie Potts as Sheldon’s grandmother, Meemaw and more.

“Young Sheldon” will premiere on CBS on Sept. 25 at 8:30 p.m. EDT right after “Big Bang Theory” Season 11 at 8 p.m. EDT.