Fans of Young Sheldon will recognize Annie Potts immediately. She brought Meemaw—sharp-tongued, warm-hearted, and delightfully no-nonsense—to life for seven seasons. Now she’s returning to TV as Joan, a feisty, fiercely independent aunt in the upcoming medical dramedy Best Medicine, set to air on Fox Reddit+8Parade+8Parade+8.
What Is Best Medicine All About?
This new series is a U.S. adaptation of the U.K. hit Doc Martin. It centers on the life of Martin Best—played by Josh Charles—who returns to practice medicine in a small town. Potts plays his aunt Joan—tough, astute, and deeply involved in both hospital politics and family dynamics Parade.
Joan—The Aunt We Didn’t Know We Needed
From Sweet Grandma to Standout Aunt
Fans loved Meemaw’s sass and loyalty in Young Sheldon. Now Potts channels that same energy into Joan—a woman who doesn’t sugarcoat anything and wouldn’t step aside for anyone. Think of her as patience meeting razor‑sharp wit in medical scrubs.
A Character with Layers and Edge
Joan’s role isn’t just comedic relief. She’s described as strong, grounded, and unafraid to speak truth to power—qualities reminiscent of Meemaw but tailored to the high-stakes setting of a medical drama .
Why This Casting Makes Perfect Sense
Annie Potts Knows How to Command a Room
Whether she’s delivering a zinger to Sheldon or leaning into hospital protocols, Potts has mastered commanding presence. Viewers already associate her with bold, sharp-edged characters—this new role plays right into that.
A Bold Genre Shift That Fits
From sitcom warmth in Young Sheldon to procedural heart in Best Medicine, Potts is showing she’s got the range to thrive in multiple genres.
Fans React—Excitement Is Brewing
Longtime watchers are already buzzing online about Potts’ casting. Reddit threads mention hope for stronger support roles from former Young Sheldon cast members, and Potts’ new part as a lead anchor certainly fuels that optimismexpress.co.uk+3Parade+3wgrz.com+3.
The Broader Young Sheldon Universe Connection Cameos or Recurring Roles for Other Cooper Members?
While Potts is firmly attached to Best Medicine, other Cooper family members—such as Mary (Zoe Perry) and Missy (Raegan Revord)—are confirmed to make guest or recurring appearances in the Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriagespin-off People.com+15Just Jared+15Reddit+15. Still, it’s Joan’s show now.
Joan vs. Meemaw—Similar DNA, Fresh Direction
Shared Attitude, Unique Stakes
Both characters share stubborn wisdom and unshakable loyalty. But Meemaw lived in Texas with family drama; Joan lives in a medical world dealing with life-and-death situations. It’s familiar, yet new.
What Best Medicine Investors See in Potts
Trust in Talent and Screen Magnetism
Executive producers—notably Chuck Lorre, Steven Molaro, and Steve Holland—chose Potts for her ability to hold audience attention and deliver emotional beats even in tense setups Parade+1Yardbarker+1Just Jared+1The Economic Times+1.
New Horizons for Annie Potts’ Career
Meemaw Was Just the Beginning
At 72, Potts continues to redefine what it means to evolve on screen. She’s branching into roles that showcase both vulnerability and authority, far beyond grandma stereotypes.
Proof You Can Reinvent Mid-Career
Her latest casting proves a steady fanbase and industry trust can open spaces for reinvention in any genre—comedy, drama, medical, or procedural.
Potential Storylines to Look Forward To
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Aunt Joan mentoring younger staff and butting heads with hospital bureaucracy
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Family visits that reveal personal stakes
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Flashbacks showing her personal history with Martin Best
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Emotional arcs with medical dilemmas that test her stern exterior
Impact on Young Sheldon Fans
A Bridge from Texas to the Clinic
There’s comfort in seeing familiar faces like Potts in a new setting. It connects fans emotionally across shows—and hints at a shared DNA between communities, be it Cooper family drama or clinic chaos.
Hope for Other Spin-Off Integrations
If Best Medicine succeeds, fans may hope for future crossovers—maybe Mary guest-starring, or even Missy passing through Martin Best’s town someday.
Why the Writing Team Took a Smart Risk
By placing Potts in a medical dramedy, the Young Sheldon creative team acknowledges her star power. It’s a move that respects fans’ expectations while expanding the storytelling universe.
Conclusion – Meemaw’s Legacy Lives On in Aunt Joan
Annie Potts is back, but not as Meemaw. As Aunt Joan in Fox’s Best Medicine, she brings new grit, humor, and warmth to a different genre. Her casting is brilliant: it plays to everything fans loved about her and pushes her into territory that’s ripe with drama and emotional stakes. If you’re a Young Sheldon fan, you’ll want to keep watching—because Potts is no longer just family; she’s the clinic’s backbone.
FAQs
Q1: When will Best Medicine premiere?
A: A premiere date hasn’t been announced yet, but Young Sheldon veteran Annie Potts was confirmed in July 2025 to play a regular role as Aunt Joan on the upcoming Fox medical series Reddit+12Parade+12Reddit+12.
Q2: How is Aunt Joan different from Meemaw?
A: Although both are strong and outspoken, Joan operates in a high-stakes medical environment and takes on hospital-based authority, in contrast to Meemaw’s family-centered, small-town dynamic.
Q3: Are other Young Sheldon characters appearing in Best Medicine?
A: Not to date. Best Medicine is a separate show. However, other characters like Missy, Mary, and Meemaw appear in the spin-off Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage instead Reddit+12Just Jared+12Reddit+12.
Q4: Why did Potts choose this role?
A: Potts has described excitement about bringing a bold, independent woman to life in medical drama—a genre she hasn’t explored much before, offering fresh creative challenge.
Q5: Will this role affect Potts’ involvement with Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage?
A: Not directly. Missy and Meemaw appear as recurring characters in the spin‑off, but Potts’ role on Best Medicine is her own full-time project, separate from Georgie & Mandy’s storyline.
