The Young Sheldon prequel ended on a somber note with the death of George Cooper, the Cooper family patriarch. However, despite his character’s passing, actor Lance Barber may still return in the upcoming spin-off, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, set to premiere on October 17. While the show will focus primarily on Georgie (Montana Jordan) and Mandy (Emily Osment), fans can expect guest appearances from other Young Sheldon stars.
Barber recently discussed the possibility of reprising his role with Dexerto, expressing that while he’d be honored to return, it would have to be done in a thoughtful way. He wouldn’t be interested in a cheap stunt, such as George appearing as a ghost. He made it clear that any return would need to respect the character’s established legacy.
“I’d be open to getting the offer, that would be so flattering,” Barber said. “If they figure out a way to do it that wasn’t diminishing what they’ve already established. If the writers decided to do that, they would do that in a thoughtful and classy way, as opposed to a stunt to get people to watch the ghost of George Cooper return.”
Even if George doesn’t appear in the flesh, the character will still be acknowledged. A sneak peek shows Georgie visiting his late father’s grave, symbolizing how George’s legacy will continue in the spin-off. Barber also noted that he’s content with how his character lives on through the memories of the family.
“The way that George lives on in the show… I like the idea that that’s where the legacy ends for him. He lives on, and people talk about him. We all hope for that in our real life – that we continue to live through the memories of our family and those who loved us,” Barber added.
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage will feature several Young Sheldon stars in guest roles. Zoe Perry (Mary), Annie Potts (Meemaw), and Raegan Revord (Missy) are confirmed to appear in the first two episodes. While a return for Iain Armitage as Sheldon hasn’t been confirmed yet, it is possible he could appear in a holiday-themed episode.