The Big Bang Theory is one of the most popular sitcoms of all time. With all the success and popularity of this sitcom, it’s no wonder that CBS and Chuck Lorre decided to create a spin-off about one of the show’s most iconic characters, Sheldon Cooper.
Released in 2017, CBS' Young Sheldon gives viewers a first-hand look at Sheldon’s childhood. Although Jim Parsons came back to narrate part of his character’s life for the prequel, it’s Iain Armitage who gives life to the young version of Sheldon Cooper.
Now, with six seasons and over 100 episodes, Young Sheldon is one of the most popular coming-of-age sitcoms nowadays. But what do the cast members think about their role in this beloved sitcom? Well, most recently, Zoe Perry, who portrays Mary Cooper, revealed that she wants the show to explore another side of her character’s life in the following seasons, and fans couldn’t agree more with this.
Who Was Zoe Perry Before Playing Mary On Young Sheldon
Zoe Perry landed her first acting role at a very young age. She played a young Jackie Harries (in two different flashback scenes) on ABC’s Roseanne. However, she had to quit acting as a child because her parents thought that pursuing a professional career at such a young age would be too much for her.
Perry took back to acting shortly after graduating from high school. She began performing in school plays at Northwestern University, and then at Boston University, as a way to make friends after transferring schools. After graduating, Perry moved to New York to pursue a professional acting career. She began landing small roles in TV series such as Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
After a while, Perry decided to move back to California, where she found plenty of work in theater. In 2013, she had her Broadway debut in The Other Place alongside her mother, Laurie Metcalf.
In 2016, Perry appeared in nine episodes of ABC’s thriller, The Family. And a year later, she landed a recurring role on the political thriller Scandal, working alongside her father, Jeff Perry. That same year, she was cast as Mary Cooper (Sheldon Cooper’s mother) on the TBBT spin-off series Young Sheldon.
Zoe Perry Admitted She Wants To See Another Side Of Her Young Sheldon Character In The Upcoming Seasons
There’s no doubt that Zoe Perry has done a great job portraying Mary on Young Sheldon. The actress has managed to give this character layers of depth and has been able to showcase her range through the show’s six seasons. However, the actress has admitted that she wishes that the writers would explore a deeper side of her character in the following seasons.
Especially, Perry wants fans to learn more about Mary’s past.
"They've dropped in great little nuggets and I'm like, 'Oooh, when do we get to explore that or do we ever get to do a flashback episode?' I learned in a piece of dialogue that Mary wasn't a total prudish teenager, she was kind of a wild child and that's how she met George. It's so interesting to think about that and what that might've looked like," Perry revealed to the New York Post.
She added that she'd also like to see more of Mary and George’s relationship with the remaining members of their extended family. "There are so many avenues we can delve into."
Zoe Perry Is Related To This The Big Bang Theory Star
Zoe Perry is the daughter of two well-known actors, Laurie Metcalf and Jeff Perry. In 2007 her mother first appeared on The Big Bang Theory as Mary Cooper, the mother of Sheldon Cooper. Metcalf would then reprise this role repeatedly over the show’s twelve-season run, even winning a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2016.
Despite her kinship with this TBBT star, Zoe Perry had to audition for the role of young Mary Cooper on Young Sheldon. “I went in knowing that I had this odd connection on my side,” Perry revealed in a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “Odd meaning that I am my mother’s daughter, and there was a character already established by her. I knew I had to prove to them that [casting me] would be a good idea and showcase what they were envisioning in this character in a different stage of life.”
In an interview with Backstage, Zoe Perry revealed that she found out that she had gotten the role shortly before meeting her mom and a friend for lunch. Although her mother didn’t give her any pointers on how to play this role, Perry was excited to share the news with her.
"We were loud and boisterous in the restaurant for a second and then we calmed down. It's been a cool experience getting to share this with her," the actress explained.
