Young Sheldon Wouldn’t Exist Without These 10 Characters

10. Billy Sparks - From “Bully” to “Surprisingly” Human

Billy In "The Big Bang Theory," Billy is known to be Sheldon's childhood adversary. However, for "Young Sheldon," Billy becomes more than a bully; he becomes a very simple and kind-hearted kid who has his own set of struggles in life.

9. Professor John Sturgis - The One Professor He Truly Respects

A genius physicist and one of the few adults who is cognitively equal to Sheldon’s intellect, Professor Sturgis is instrumental in his academic development. As a character who is defined by his personality and dynamics with Meemaw, he is both hilarious and intensely significant to Sheldon’s development.

8. Tam Nguyen - The Friend Who Played an Influential Role

Tam becomes Sheldon's confidant in his childhood, to the extent that he is responsible for kindling his love for comic books. His friendship also has significance in Sheldon's adult, emotional past in TBBT.

7. Jim Parsons - A Voice Bridging Two Worlds

Parsons's narration is also important as it links "Young Sheldon" and "Big Bang Theory." Parsons's narration brings nostalgia and depth as an adult Sheldon reflects on his life and how he became who he is.

6. Connie “Meemaw” Tucker - The Coolest Grandma on Television

Meemaw is tough, snappy, loving, and unafraid to be herself. She is a force of warmth and laughter and is one of the few people who actually "gets" Sheldon on any level, whether it is drinking, gambling, or simply conveying a bit of wisdom about how to live a good life.

5. Georgie Cooper Jr. - Success Story of the Underdog

At first the laid-back and academically unaccomplished brother, Georgie, will drop out of school – but yet go on to be a successful businessman. His character will grow from a comedic relief person to a representative of the unconventional success story.

4. Missy Cooper - The Sister with Emotional Intelligence

While she may not be as smart as Sheldon, she excels at many levels where Sheldon cannot. Intelligent, adventurous, funny, and very sociable, she adds a fresh spark to family life. She tends to be most affected by Sheldon as she grows up living under his shadow but simultaneously trying to develop a separate identity.

3. George Cooper Sr. - The Flawed yet Loving Father

George Sr.'s initial portrayal as a comedic relief in TBBT develops into a more complex character in Young Sheldon. George Sr. is a devoted football coach who ardently loves his family, in spite of the troubles in his marriage and the many faults that accompany him as a character. George Sr.'s life develops into a tragic event that contributes to the canonical death of the character when Sheldon turns 14, which marks a major emotional point in the series

2. Mary Cooper - The Protective Heart of the Family

Very religious, very loving, very patient, Mary is the emotional rock that Sheldon needs. In fact, she makes sure that she keeps the balance between her strong religiosity and the needs of a genius who is misinterpreted by the world around him.

1. Sheldon Cooper - The Genius in the Middle

With unmatched intellect, Sheldon is a child prodigy and a mastermind who grows up in East Texas and battles with social norms, emotions, and human interactions. His extraordinary intellect sometimes sparks a clash with ordinary living, setting up the backdrop for the Young Sheldon and `The Big Bang Theory’ series.