More than two years after “Young Sheldon” aired its final episode in May 2024, several members of the CBS sitcom’s cast are opening up about the demands of making the series with Iain Armitage, who was only eight years old when the production began.

The recollections appear in a recently released excerpt from Jessica Radloff’s oral history, “Young Sheldon: The (Juicier-Than-Meemaw’s-Brisket) Inside Story of the Hit Comedy,” published via Us Weekly. The cast’s comments revisit both the pressure placed on Armitage and the complicated realities of spending long hours on set as young performers.

Armitage played Sheldon Cooper throughout all seven seasons of the “Big Bang Theory” prequel. Looking back, he described the role as both an opportunity and an unusually demanding responsibility for a child.

“It was a complete privilege to be on this show and play this character, but yes, it was a big undertaking for an 8-year-old,” Armitage said. “I always did the best that I could, and sometimes kids are not perfect. I was grateful to the people who understood that and gave me grace.”

Growing Up Alongside Raegan Revord

Armitage also reflected on his bond with Raegan Revord, who portrayed Sheldon’s sister, Missy Cooper. He said their off-camera dynamic could resemble the sibling relationship they played on the show.

“Raegan was so much fun to have as a sibling,” he recalled. “It definitely did feel like a sibling relationship, and Rae was kind of the only other person on set who understood exactly what we went through, from being on set to going to school.”

Revord similarly appreciated having another young cast member who could relate to that routine, calling it “nice to have someone who understood that process.” She also acknowledged that their closeness did not mean they always agreed.

“But like siblings, you bicker and stuff happens,” Revord said. “If you spend 12 hours, five days a week on a set, there’s going to be arguments, and people are going to have clashing opinions.”

Annie Potts Addresses the Pressure on Armitage

Annie Potts, who played Meemaw Connie, offered a direct assessment of the responsibility Armitage carried as the performer at the center of the series. She said the psychological burden would have been substantial for someone so young.

“He was asked to work and carry the weight of something that would be difficult for an adult, and we know that a lot of behavior comes out in situations like that,” Potts said.

Potts acknowledged that Armitage could sometimes be difficult, but placed that behavior within the context of his age, fatigue and the expectations surrounding him. She also noted that she had encountered adults who behaved worse.

“Sometimes I think he was tired, and sometimes I think he pushed people, and people were kissing his ass!” Potts said. “It’s a very challenging situation to be 9 years old and be expected to work, behave, and think like a grown-up. And I say that with absolute love and respect.”

Taken together, the cast’s recollections do not present an entirely friction-free production. Instead, they describe a workplace where young actors balanced filming, school and extended days together while Armitage shouldered the additional responsibility of leading the Sheldon Cooper-focused comedy.

ShowBiz Take

What makes these comments significant is their willingness to hold two ideas at once: Armitage’s behavior was not always perfect, and the demands placed on him were extraordinary for a child. Potts does not avoid the difficult part of that conversation, but she also refuses to discuss it without acknowledging the circumstances surrounding it.

Armitage and Revord’s accounts add another layer. Their bond offered mutual understanding, but their long hours together could also produce the same bickering and disagreements found in a sibling relationship. The result is a more candid picture of what it meant for two children to grow up while working on a seven-season television series.

“Young Sheldon” ultimately became successful enough to generate its own spinoff, “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage,” which premiered in 2024.

What Happens Next?

More behind-the-scenes reflections are expected when Radloff’s oral history is released on Oct. 20. The excerpt places Armitage’s experience at the center of a broader look back at the comedy, its cast and the challenges that accompanied its run.