Thursday’s Young Sheldon (CBS, 8/7c) marks the start of the Big Bang Theory spinoff’s farewell run — and in honor of the final season premiere, TVLine is looking back at how the Cooper children (played by Iain Armitage, Raegan Revord and Montana Jordan) have grown from precocious kiddos to young adults in the blink of an eye.
In the Season 7 opener, titled “A Weiner Schnitzel and Underwear in a Tree,” news of the tornado that swept through Medford at the end of Season 6 reaches Sheldon and Mary in Germany. Also, with the Cooper house in chaos, Missy steps up.
Scroll down to see just how much the Young Sheldon kids have grown over the past seven years — photos of the main trio were taken in Seasons 1, 3 and 7 — then hit the comments with your reactions.
Iain Armitage, 15, was eight-years-old when he was cast as the pint-sized genius. Prior to playing the younger version of Jim Parsons’ Big Bang Theory character, he was best known for his role as Ziggy on HBO’s Big Little Lies.
Raegan Revord, 16, was nine-years-old when she made her debut as Sheldon’s sassy twin sister Missy. The role was originated by Courtney Henggeler (Cobra Kai) in a Season 1 episode of The Big Bang Theory.
Montana Jordan, 20, was 14-years-old when he first appeared as Sheldon and Missy’s older brother. Unlike his TV siblings, Jordan had the honor of originating the role of Mary and George’s oldest son, who had not been seen on Big Bang. The mothership eventually cast Jerry O’Connell to fill the part.
Sheldon spoke of his childhood bully in Seasons 3 and 5 of the mothership. Wyatt McClure, 15, was eight-years-old when the character made his on-screen debut in the Young Sheldon pilot and taunted Sheldon with his pet chicken Mathilda. Since then, however, Billy has been portrayed as more of a nuisance than a tormentor, and hasn’t given the future physicist reason to add him to his all-time enemies list… yet.
Ryan Phuong, 22, was 15-years-old when he first appeared as Sheldon’s Medford High classmate in Episode 2. He went on to make 29 additional appearances, and was last seen toward the end of Season 4.
The already-ubiquitous Mckenna Grace, whose myriad credits include an Emmy-nominated turn on Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, was 12-years-old when she made her first appearance as fellow brainiac Paige in Season 2’s “A Rival Prodigy and Sir Isaac Neutron.” The 17-year-old has since appeared in eight more episodes.
All the kids are great. I think Montana Jordan has real potential as a leading man in a few years, and McKenna Grace has a Jessie Schram/Meg Ryan quality that will take her a long way.
Montana Jordan is the perfect name for a star.
Well, I for one was iniitially (quite) sceptical and reluctantly decided to watch the first few episodes.
I was pleasantly surprised and knew immediately that it was going to be a regular watch for me.
All three of kids are great and the mom is totally believable as the younger version of Mary Cooper. (Yes, yes I know she is Laurie Metcalf’s real life daughter)
This is also a great role for Annie Potts
I just had a wth moment… I had no idea that Zoe (who plays Mary) is Metcalfs daughter.
ME NEITHER!
The best sitcom on TV (although Abbott Elementary is giving it a run for its money). Vastly superior to The Big Bang Theory. Hope it goes on to 200!
I agree that Young Sheldon is the best sitcom on TV today. My opinion of Abbott Elementary, though, differs from yours. That show is vastly overrated and can’t hold a candle to Young Sheldon.
This is confirmed as the last season. It ends at 141 episodes.
I’m a huge fan of The Big Bang Theory but honestly believe that the spinoff, Young Sheldon is even better!
The casting & writing is perfect!
Honestly I wasn’t that interested in the premise, or the show when it started, but I binged it during lockdown when there was nothing new to watch and it really grew on me as it became more of an ensemble show. Missy, Meemaw and Georgie get most of the best lines.
They are awesome kids. Hope Hollywood nurtures these talents.
I’ve seen them on interviews, they seem like they have really matured. I give a shout out to the parent(s). They seem to make or break a young star.
Super talented group of kids. Especially Raegan and Montana. They always make me laugh out loud. They have great comic timing. Raegan reminds me a lot of Fred Savage. She’s just such a special talent and I hope she has a very successful career after Young Sheldon ends.
We better see Tam and Paige again one last time.
Id love to see them again too but it doesnt look like that’s going to happen. The story isnt headed that way this season. But McKenna Grace especially doesnt need this show. She is doing big things. She will once again star in the latest Ghost Busters movie coming up shortly.
I first discovered her on the soap Young and Restless where she played a brattier version of Faith Newman. Then she was as young Tonya Harding in the feature film I Tonya.
Whatever happened to Billy Sparks’ sister who bullied Sheldon? Did she go the way of Ritchie Cunningham’s older brother?
I have wondered that as well…
this show was a pleasant surprise was not a fan of the big bang but this show got me I’m going to miss it, great cast
Love this show. All the actors are awsome. I love the kids. They are so cute and smart. Awsome job guys. Can’t wait for season 7 to hit Netflix. 💞💞💞
I love both Young Sheldon and The Big Bang Theory seasons buti didn’t begin as a Star Trek series and wasn’t until the reruns.
Georgie Cooper appears in 3 episodes of the big bang theory
But he didn’t show up until after Young Sheldon started airing, meaning Montana Jordan originated the role.
That was great!!!!!♥️♥️♥️♥️
I enjoyed this article. It seems the author has a sense of warning for each character. For instance, Mary might be on a path to danger because her family and home don’t seem to need her anymore. What will she do? I don’t think she likes this and will turn somewhere else. Perhaps this is where she goes back to church or Rob.
Missy has indeed changed and I applaud her, but can she stay on that road? I read somewhere that in an upcoming episode, she will try to pull a fast one on George. I saw a picture of her holding what appears to be a credit card and she has a coy smile on her face. Perhaps she will go on a spending spree and get caught by George.
MeeMaw might be tempted to do wrong in order to rebuild her house. Does that mean she will invite crooks in to help with her casino. I hope she is smarter than that but she might be very desperate for money.
Georgie and Mandy are trying to start life on their own and appear to have a difference of opinion on where to live. Mandy is dead set against moving back home. For now the issue is on hold but I think it will be back along with other topics such as Mandy going back to work. A rough way to start life!
Many subtle hints that the Coopers have decisions to make. Hopefully they will think before doing anything and realize that behaviors have consequences
This is my most favorite show. I am going to be sad when it ends. Hoping for another show with same actors as a continuance of Georgie & Mandy and their future after marriage. I would give this show a 10 for ratings it has always brought laughter to the screen. Which now days you don’t see too much of. It is the best family show on TV right now. So sorry it has to go. Hoping you will come up with a good show and some of the same actors and similar story line. The World needs a wholesome TV show like this to show good family’s do exist.
KEEP THEM COMING – SPIN OFFS ARE GOOD ! QUALITY WRITING AND EXCELLENT ENSEMBLE –
It was a long wait for season 7 to premiere, but it didn’t disappoint. Sheldon was typical Sheldon, focusing on his educational path and not letting Mom (Mary) deter him in any way. Missy was quite impressive with her stepping up and being a responsible adult. George was basically going along with whatever Missy said to do, seemingly content to let her take the reigns. Meemaw was distraught, understandably, and was in no shape to attempt to take a leadership role. I can’t wait to see what happens next under this crowded roof.
Commented to my wife that I sadly miss the Young Seldon (and the TBBT memories) when YS comes to an end. It is tremendous news that the show will continue in a “slightly” different direction but with some of the same characters and actors. Those actors who play the parts of the senior members of the family are remembered for the great shows they performed in earlier in their acting careers. “Sheldon has moved on! Long live Sheldon!!”
I enjoyed most of Young Sheldon but I think they spent to much time on Mema and the gambling in her laundry mat. that part got a little too slapstick for me.
Watching the kids grow was fun and I did like Georgie and Missy’s different story lines. They are all good actors and I wish them the best in whatever their new ventures may be.
I love the his show! I am so sorry to see it go! Seems like all the good, family shows go away! It very much showed family life! Memas was so funny! Maybe it won’t end!thanks for the shows we’ve been able to enjoy
Why is this show coming to an end? So perfectly cast and great storylines- why not
continue the story with Meemaw, Missy and her parents??
Doesn’t make sense to step away from this show while it’s still got such a loyal audience!
Young Sheldon could easily support TWO spinoffs. Hey Paramount/CBS: THINK!
Looking forward to this new show. Disappointed Sheldon is ending. I did not watch Big Bang Theory. Hope it does well.
I knew that Sheldon’s father, George died when Sheldon was 14 years old according to the Big Bang theory but I thought maybe we would be spared that.
Love Young Sheldon. The cast is amazing and the kids are brilliant. The produces and writers did a great job. Sad to see it will soon end. There should be more shows that remind us of a time of innocence when kids were kids without facing the world as it is today. Thank you