While progress has been slow on The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff series, this is secretly good news for fans of the show. The Big Bang Theory’s finale aired in May 2019 and, since then, news of a follow-up has been sparse. The Big Bang Theory’s first spinoff, Young Sheldon, began before the original show ended. Young Sheldon’s series finale aired in 2024, with the prequel airing seven seasons in the intervening years. A Young Sheldon sequel series, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, will begin later in 2024, but no sequel to The Big Bang Theory has been announced.
This is particularly notable due to The Big Bang Theory’s historical popularity. The Big Bang Theory fared well with viewers from the beginning, averaging around 8 million viewers throughout its first season. However, the series exploded in popularity as it continued, with The Big Bang Theory season 6 averaging 18 million viewers, while season 9 netted a massive 20 million average. Even The Big Bang Theory’s final season, which suffered a small drop-off like most shows in their later years, held onto an average of 17 million viewers. This impressive run made Young Sheldon’s comparatively modest success unsurprising.
The Big Bang Theory’s Slow Spinoff Progress Isn’t A Bad Thing
Chuck Lorre Described The Spinoff’s Development As “Pre-Natal”
The Big Bang Theory’s co-creator Chuck Lorre mentioned the possibility of a new comedy show set in the same universe as the hit sitcom back in 2023. However, the sitcom legend seemingly changed his mind when, in November of the same year, Lorre admitted that he couldn’t see how a follow-up to The Big Bang Theory would work. This reversal was reversed in July 2024 when Lorre said that development on a new The Big Bang Theory follow-up was in the “Pre-natal” stages. Despite Young Sheldon potentially killing off The Big Bang Theory’s Leonard, the show may still go on.
Waiting until the end of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage allows The Big Bang Theory’s best spinoff idea to work in terms of timing.
Lorre’s comments made it clear that any sequel to The Big Bang Theory would not arrive for some time, and this is understandable for numerous reasons. For one thing, a sequel series would rob the limelight from Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. The Big Bang Theory franchise is popular, but it is not Star Wars or the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This means the sitcom universe couldn’t air two shows at the same time. Not only that, but waiting until the end of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage allows The Big Bang Theory’s best spinoff idea to work in terms of timing.
A Longer Wait Makes A Big Bang Sequel Series Possible
It’s Too Early For A Next-Generation Spinoff
The best plan for The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff would be a next-generation series that follows the Pasadena gang’s children as they navigate many of the same minefields their parents faced. Although The Big Bang Theory initially focused on Leonard’s attempts to woo Penny, the show gradually established itself as more of an ensemble hang-out show in the vein of Friends, New Girl, or That ‘70s Show. The Big Bang Theory’s best relationship wasn’t even a romantic one, but rather the unlikely friendship between Sheldon and Penny. This makes the show’s best follow-up plan clearer for its creators.
The Big Bang Theory’s sequel should not arrive until the original gang’s children are all old enough to have adventures of their own.
Since a follow-up to The Big Bang Theory requires the involvement of the original show’s entire ensemble, the sequel series should wait until the gang’s children are young adults. The creators of That ‘70s Show had to wait a full twenty years between generations before the sitcom could return as That ‘90s Show, but this decision paid off as the follow-up successfully recaptured the mood, tone, and style of the original show. Similarly, The Big Bang Theory’s sequel should not arrive until Leonard, Penny, Howard, Bernadette, Amy, and Sheldon’s children are all old enough to have adventures of their own.
A Next-Generation Sequel Is The Big Bang Theory’s Best Potential Spinoff
The Original Show Left Little Room For Revisiting
A next-generation spinoff of The Big Bang Theory is the best premise for a sequel series since this approach combines new characters with substantial roles for the existing heroes. Simply bringing back The Big Bang Theory’s Leonard and Sheldon and rehashing their old dynamic would quickly grow tiresome, and the original show’s finale has already shut down this possibility. The Big Bang Theory ended with the central group of friends going their separate ways, with everyone but Raj settling down and having children. This means the next time the group would naturally be reunited would be when these children grow up.
The Big Bang Theory’s next-generation spinoff could begin with Leonard’s child attending college and meeting Sheldon’s child, or Howard and Bernadette’s kids moving out. This would require the creators of The Big Bang Theory’s follow-up to wait a few years since Sheldon and Penny’s children would only be five or six by now. However, this wait would be worth the payoff. This time would allow the show’s original viewers to become more nostalgic, resulting in a sequel series that is highly anticipated instead of feeling perfunctory or unnecessary. Meanwhile, its existing prequel spinoffs can continue expanding the show’s fictional world.
Georgie & Mandy’s Marriage and Young Sheldon are limited to focusing on the Cooper family.
The Big Bang Theory’s Earlier Spinoffs Make The Wait Easier
Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy’s Marriage Expanded The Show’s World
While it might be a while before The Big Bang Theory’s next-generation spinoff can begin, both Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy’s Marriage are currently fleshing out the universe of the original show. These spinoffs provide more insight into Sheldon’s upbringing and Young Sheldon’s finale proved that the series could reveal surprising elements of the gang’s future. Admittedly, Georgie & Mandy’s Marriage and Young Sheldon are limited to focusing on the Cooper family, meaning the rest of the Pasadena gang is underserved by the shows. However, this is still more content for fans waiting for The Big Bang Theory’s eventual return.
Although it is a shame that The Big Bang Theory’s follow-up is slow to progress, this can also be viewed from a positive perspective. The Big Bang Theory’s creators care about the show’s follow-up and hope to ensure that it is not simply a cash-in. The Big Bang Theory’s sequel series might not arrive for years, and the show may not take the shape that viewers expected. However, whenever the characters of The Big Bang Theory do return to screens, viewers can rest assured that Sheldon, Leonard, Penny, Amy, Raj, Howard, and Bernadette will have a whole new story to tell.
