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The Big Bang Theory ended in 2019 after 12 seasons when Jim Parsons decided to leave the show. As the beloved character Sheldon Cooper was essential, co-creator Chuck Lorre chose to conclude the series. However, fans can still see Sheldon in the prequel spinoff Young Sheldon, narrated by Parsons as the adult Sheldon. Premiering in 2017 while The Big Bang Theory was ongoing, Young Sheldon follows Sheldon’s childhood, with Iain Armitage playing the 9-year-old Sheldon.

Many fans hope to see Parsons fully reprise his role as Sheldon again.The long-running sitcom The Big Bang Theory came to an end after Jim Parsons, who played the central role of Sheldon Cooper, left following season 12. Co-creator Chuck Lorre determined the show could not continue without Parsons and Sheldon. However, the character lives on in the prequel series Young Sheldon.

Debuting during The Big Bang Theory’s run in 2017, Young Sheldon charts Sheldon’s early years, starred Iain Armitage as the 9-year-old Sheldon, and features Parsons narrating as adult Sheldon.While Parsons’ portrayal of quirky genius Sheldon was essential to The Big Bang Theory’s success and pop culture status over 12 years, Young Sheldon offers fans an origin story for the beloved character.

By providing voiceover narration, Parsons maintains his connection to the role that defined his career. Still, many fans hold out hope for Parsons to fully reprise his Emmy-winning performance as adult Sheldon Cooper once more. Through Young Sheldon and potential future Big Bang Theory projects, Sheldon seems destined to live on in Parsons’ capable hands.The ending of The Big Bang Theory was bittersweet, as viewers said goodbye to the sitcom that had brought them over a decade of laughter and memories.

But the world Chuck Lorre and his team created lives on through its prequel. And where Sheldon leads, audiences and Jim Parsons will surely follow.

The character who grew up on screen and in fans’ hearts is not gone but patiently waiting to emerge once more. 

Jim Parsons might be open to Old Sheldon at some point

Jim Parsons was a guest on a recent episode of "Life Is Short with Justin Long," which saw the actors discuss everything from Parsons' upbringing to his career on the screen. The topic of Sheldon Cooper came up once or twice, and Parsons shared some interesting insights about his current thoughts on playing him again.

During the conversation, Long asked Parsons about the possibility of portraying the socially awkward theoretical physicist in an "Old Sheldon" series at some point. Unfortunately for fans, the prospect doesn't appeal to Parsons at the moment, but he would consider it down the line. "At this point? Hell no," Parsons said. "In 30 years? Maybe. You'll have to ask me then, depending on how nice the beach is I'm living on."

Parsons went on to say that life is long and he doesn't always want to be associated with opinions he's expressed in the past. He's been known to change his mind, and his past quotes shouldn't be treated as gospel. "I said something recently, it's the reason I never reread interviews or anything like that because I'm like, 'I didn't want to be saddled to the opinion I had on some random September in 2002!'"