Returning to the role of Sheldon wasn't like "putting on a pair of old shoes" for Jim Parsons

While it's definitely bittersweet that Young Sheldon is coming to an end on May 16, 2024, the show does have a few surprises for us when the series finale arrives. One of those is that Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik will be reprising their roles as Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler, respectively! Even though Parsons has been narrating the series for the last seven seasons, actually stepping back into the role took some adjusting.

In speaking with Entertainment Tonight, the actor shared that he's finished taping his part in the series finale. Once he arrived on set, Parsons said that it took a little bit of time to get back into the mindset and physicality of Sheldon Cooper.

"I really thought it'd be like putting on a pair of old shoes and then eventually it was, but not for about an hour or so. And I was like, 'do I still know how to talk like this?' It was weird."

- Jim Parsons, Entertainment Tonight

Sheldon is definitely known for his quirks, mannerisms, and even the way he stands. So I don't blame Parsons for taking a bit of time to get back into the character. Plus, The Big Bang Theory ended almost five years ago in 2019 (where did the time go!?). So it's definitely been a while. His co-star, Bialik, felt the same and was actually the first of the two to voice their feelings. She told him, "I thought I'd feel a lot more confident than this," per ET. This will be the first time the two reunite onscreen!

Even so, we know that both actors were eventually able to jump right back in like the pros they are! It's so exciting that in closing this Young Sheldon chapter, the two special characters from the flagship series get to come on and wrap up the story. Bialik has previously provided a voice over cameo twice on the prequel. Neither have appeared onscreen though. It will be interesting to see the context in which they appear, and how the adult characters are woven in. I'm assuming this will be some sort of flash forward or something. Whatever it's going to be, Parsons promises that it's "beautiful."

"It was even more beautiful than I expected it to be. One of the reasons I was excited to do it is because what they wrote is so sweet and I think they worked Mayim and I into that show so beautifully. I hope everyone agrees. But also for us the way that they tape -- because they're a single-camera show and we're multi-camera -- the whole look of the show was a really special experience. To get to go with Mayim, in a world we're really guests and revisit these characters a little older, just a completely different circumstance."

- Jim Parsons, Entertainment Tonight

Even though Young Sheldon is coming to an end, we won't have to say goodbye to TBBT universe just yet. A Georgie and Mandy spin-off starring Montana Jordan and Emily Osment as the leads is coming in the 2024-2025 season. I have certain thoughts on that here. With them getting married in Young Sheldon season 7, we'll get to see how they navigate married life while being parents to CeeCee.

Unfortunatley, the dreaded George death storyline is also coming. At least thankfully, the comedy-drama did change canon a bit and established that George didn't actually cheat on Mary, leading to Sheldon's three knocks. The husband and wife were actually role playing, and Sheldon didn't realize that was the case.

Young Sheldon season 7 airs new episodes Thursday nights on CBS, and streams the next day on Peacock. The one-hour series finale arrives May 16, 2024.