This article contains spoilers for Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage season 1, episode 5, “Thanksgiving.”
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriageco-creator Steve Holland reveals why Sheldon Cooper didn’t return for the spinoff’s Thanksgiving episode. The CBS sitcom switches up the formula fromYoung Sheldon, going from single camera to multi-cam and bringing in a live studio audience. But so far,Georgie & Mandyhas links to the original. Missy (Raegan Revord), Mary (Zoe Perry), and Meemaw (Annie Potts) have all made regular appearances so far, but although he’s been referenced,Iain Armitage’s Sheldon Cooper has not appeared just yet.
In an interview withTVLine, co-creator Steve Holland opened up about why Sheldon doesn’t appear duringGeorgie & Mandy’sThanksgiving episode, even though the holiday premise allowed it a natural avenue to prominently feature other returningYoung Sheldoncharacters. Holland, who created the multi-cam comedy with Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro, explains thatthe inclusion of Sheldon could have ended up hurting the storybecause “it made sense for the story we were trying to tell.”
Becausethe family is “splinter[ing]” after the death of Georgie and Sheldon’s fatherGeorge Sr. (Lance Barber), the story of the episode involved their mother Mary (Zoe Perry) not wanting to get together with her family and celebrate Thanksgiving, something that likely would not have happened if Sheldon had come home from Caltech that year. Read Holland’s full quote below:
Initially, when we were talking about the episode, it was certainly part of the discussion — like, “Should Sheldon be a part of this?” There are certain occasions where you could bring him back, butas we were breaking the [episode], it just felt like it was actually going to hurt this story. Often, when a matriarch or a patriarch passes away, the family can splinter, and that’s what is happening here. And as fun as it would have been to see him, it felt like there is no world where that family doesn’t get together, and Mary doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving, if Sheldon is coming back from California. So, it seemed to make “Sheldon sense” that he didn’t come back, and it made sense for the story we were trying to tell.
What Sheldon’s Absence Means For Georgie & Mandy
It’s Given Space To The Supporting Cast
“Thanksgiving”, as it’s simply titled, tells a similarly simple story. Mary is struggling to move forward following the death of her husband, George, intheYoung Sheldonfinale. Georgie (Montana Jordan) wants the family to spend the holiday together, but it brings up too many memories for Mary. In the end, a middle ground is reached andthe episode ends with Georgie, Mary, and Missy visiting George’s grave. However, this story would indeed have played out very differently if the entire cast had reunited.
Where Sheldon Is During Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage And Why He Doesn’t Appear
Sheldon Cooper is notably absent from Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage ep 1 & there is a good reason for that, already established by Young Sheldon.
“Thanksgiving”, which is directed by Mark Cendrowski, with writing credits shared by Holland, Molaro, Jim Reynolds, and Connor Kilpatrick, explains thatSheldon is away at university and can’t make it. His presence would have been more of a special occasion, shifting Mary’s feelings about the entire event. There will be a time when Iain Armitage should be brought into theGeorgie & Mandycast, if only to confront the complicated relationship between Sheldon and Georgie. However, so far, his absence allows the spotlight to shine elsewhere, bringing other characters to the fore who weren’t the focus ofYoung Sheldon.
Will Sheldon Return In Georgie And Mandy’s First Marriage?
The Odds Are Unlikely In Season 1
Ultimately, it seems likely that Iain Armitage will follow the lead of his fellow former Sheldon Jim Parsons and refrain from appearing onscreen in the new spinoff until a pivotal moment. However,the star is not currently attached to any upcoming projectsthat have been officially announced. While it is possible that he could appear in his original role as Ziggy Chapman in HBO’s rumoredBig Little Liesseason 3, that project has not yet come to fruition.
Although Parsons reprised his role by narratingYoung Sheldon, he did not appear onscreen until the prequel’s series finale.
It seems more likely that he would appear inGeorgie & Mandy’s First Marriageseason 2or beyond,giving the new show time to establish its own identitybefore yoking it back to the iconicBig Bang Theorycharacter. As the first show in the universe not to feature Sheldon as a central character, it is important to let it develop its own sensibility organically. However, the show has not yet been renewed for any further seasons, and should the ratings struggle, it seems probable that producers will try to get Armitage to reprise his role sooner rather than later.
Our Take On Sheldon’s Absence
His Story Has Already Been Told
Sheldon Cooper has already been the focus of two series.The Big Bang Theory- in which the iconic character is played by four-time Emmy winner Jim Parsons - began this journey, andYoung Sheldoncontinued it, though it took a step back chronologically. Although Sheldon could appear later on,Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriageis much more about Mandy (Emily Osment), Audrey (Rachel Bay Jones), and Jim (Will Sasso). Their stories are not yet fully told, so this is the chance for the show to give its full attention to them, even though the previous main characters are still important.
Formore insight into the vast coterie of other charactersfrom the previous spinoff who have yet to return inGeorgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, read about thecompleteYoung Sheldoncast.
While the character has moved from Texas to Pasadena as of the events ofGeorgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, learn aboutSheldon’s move to Germanyat a later point in the timeline before the events ofThe Big Bang Theory,potentially complicating Armitage’s ability to reprise his role even further.
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriageairs on Thursdays at 8 PM ET on CBS.
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage
Cast
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage follows the couple as they navigate the complexities of adulthood, parenting, and marriage while raising their young family in Texas.
