THE BIG Bang Theory star Jim Parsons has spoken out about the future of his iconic TV character 17 years after he first appeared on the small screen.
Jim, 51, is best known for playing quirky but brilliant scientist Sheldon Cooper in 12 series of The Big Bang Theory from 2007 to 2019.
The Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons has opened up on the future of his iconic character[/caption]
He played Sheldon Cooper from 2007 to 2019 on TBBT[/caption]
Jim also returned to the role in the finale of prequel spin-off Young Sheldon[/caption]
He continued to play the character in a different format when the series ended, largely appearing in a voice capacity on the Big Bang Theory spin-off series, Young Sheldon.
The actor also served as an executive producer on the spin-off series alongside voicing Adult Sheldon for its seven-season run from 2017 to 2024.
But it seems that Jim’s on-screen reunion with Mayim Bialik, who plays Sheldon’s wife Amy, may be his last appearance as Sheldon for a while as he has admitted he has “no” immediate plans to return to the franchise during an appearance on Who’s Talking To Chris Wallace? last week.
Speaking on Sheldon’s future 17 years after he first appeared on screens, Jim said: “As we sit here now, no, but I also, I would never say never to anything, because life just changes so much.”
He continued: “You know, one of the things is that it was so special as what it was as what it is.
“And they call it lightning in a bottle for a reason, and you can be certain it wouldn’t be that.
It seems Jim would only be willing to return to the small screen as Sheldon if the story was right.
“And so why would we be doing it? I don’t know, that’s how I feel on that right now. But like I say, God willing, life is very long,” he teased.
Having spent over a decade starring on the hit sitcom, Parsons has nothing but appreciation for his character.
Reflecting on his TV career, he added: “I feel pretty strongly that it’s almost, if not totally, 100% blessing at this point,” he said of his time on the show. “I know that I wouldn’t have said that 10 years ago.”
Jim comments about Sheldon’s possible return come after a new Big Bang Theory spin-off was announced for Max last year, Kevin Sussman, Brian Posehn and Lauren Lapkus have signed talent-holding deals to potentially reprise their roles as Stuart Bloom, Bert Kibbler and Denise in the show, which is speculated to revolve around Stuart’s comic book store.
Meanwhile, Young Sheldon spin-off Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage premieres Thursday October 17 on CBS, with Montana Jordan and Emily Osment reprising their roles as Sheldon’s older brother Georgie Cooper and his wife Mandy McAllister.
It’s unlikely Jim will have a role, even in a voice capacity, in this series as his younger counterpart Iain Armitage will also have a much smaller part – if any – since he’s away at college in California and the series is set in Texas.
The Big Bang Theory’s most memorable moments
The Big Bang Theory ran for 12 series from 2007 to 2019 creating some pretty iconic pop-culture moments. Here are some of the show’s most memorable moments that will no doubt tug at your heartstrings…
Sheldon and Penny’s holiday Hug – Sheldon and Penny’s relationship is a major backbone of the long-running series. It is never romantic in nature and yet incredible compelling. One of the earliest defining moments for their friendship in the show’s first Christmas episode at the beginning of series 2. Penny plans to give Sheldon and Leonard some “silly neighbours gifts” which sends Sheldon into a panic about what to get her in return, leading him to buy a variety of gift baskets so he can decide which is the most appropriate after opening Penny’s gift. Shocked to receive a napkin signed by his idol Leonard Nimoy, Sheldon gives Penny all the baskets as well as very big hug to say thank you.
Penny starts a business – In series two Penny starts her own short-lived business selling handmade flower berets which she calls Penny Blossoms to her co-workers at the Cheesecake Factory. But with the help of Sheldon, Leonard, Howard and Raj she soon takes her business online. But when she gets an order with rush shipping which she can’t possibly fulfil all the guys chip in to help her get it done. It’s a sweet testament to how far the group will go to help each other out.
Ding-dong ditch with Carrie Fisher – The Big Bang Theory welcomes a number of celebrity cameos over the years, with everyone from renowned physicist Stephen Hawking to superhero legend Stan Lee making an appearance. Another major cameo came in Season 7 when Star Wars legends Carrie Fisher and James Earl Jones appear on the show and get caught up in a game of ding-dong ditch. Having spend the day with Sheldon getting ice cream and doing karaoke, James decides that they should end their day by ringing Carrie’s doorbell and running away – safe to say she’s furious when she opens the door.
The crystal scavenger hunt – In the Wedding Gift Wormhole, newlyweds Sheldon and Amy are left perplexed by a crystal gifted to them by Leonard and Penny. They insist that it’s the beginning of a complex scavenger hunt which will lead to their real wedding gift, but the truth of the crystal is even funnier. It turns out that the crystal has becoming a running gag amongst the friend group after it was gifted to Howard and Bernadette by, who then regifted it to Leonard and Penny before they passed it along.
Sheldon and Amy win the Nobel Prize – This amazing achievement brings the long-running series to end. In the finale, Sheldon and Amy become Nobel Prize Award Winners for their work, inspiring the next generation of young scientists, and Sheldon gives a memorable speech. He finally acknowledges how selfish he can be, before using his speech to thank his friends and family for their support throughout his life and career. Penny, Leonard, Bernadette and Raj are all in a happy place when the series ends – Raj especially because 90s icon Sarah Michelle Gellar is his dad to the Nobel Prize ceremony.
All 12 series of The Big Bang Theory are available to stream on Netflix.
