Iain Armitage is addressing accounts of difficult moments on the Young Sheldon set in a new oral history of the CBS comedy.
The actor, now 18, spoke to author Jessica Radloff for the book. Us Weekly published an excerpt on Oct. 9 that includes his response alongside recollections from cast and crew.
“I always did the best that I could, and sometimes kids are not perfect,” Armitage says. “I was grateful to the people who understood that and gave me grace.”
Young Sheldon: The (Juicier-Than-Meemaw’s-Brisket) Inside Story of the Hit Comedy arrives Oct. 20 from Grand Central Publishing. The series ran for seven seasons, from 2017 to 2024.
Annie Potts Says She Has Worked With More Difficult Adults
Child star Iain Armitage responds to the claims that he was ‘difficult’ on the set of ‘Young Sheldon’ in a new book about the show. https://t.co/8rLTyvbFzR
Entertainment Weekly (@EW) October 9, 2026
“Yes, sometimes he was difficult,” says Potts, who played Sheldon’s grandmother Meemaw. But she adds that she has worked with grown-ups whose behavior was much worse, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Armitage was eight when he was cast as the lead of The Big Bang Theory prequel. Potts says the other characters existed to support his story, placing him at the center of a production with responsibilities that would challenge an adult.
Elsewhere in the excerpt, Potts recalls children who were sometimes tired, cranky or ready to burn off energy. She says she gave them whoopee cushions so they could enjoy a little harmless mischief.
When the children needed correcting and their parents were absent, Potts sometimes intervened. She felt that their affection for her made it easier for them to accept being told to stop.
Director Alex Reid Apologized After One Tense Exchange
Reid recalls filming a scene in which he wondered whether Armitage realized the camera was on him. He told the actor to “give it your all.”
According to Reid, Armitage understood that instruction as criticism of the effort he was already making. He became upset and repeatedly asked to do another take to demonstrate that he was trying.
Afterward, Reid approached him and apologized for his wording. The disagreement ended with the two posing for a photograph beside the show’s plaque on the stage.
Costars Recall Schoolwork and Play Between Scenes
Emily Osment, who had her own experience as a child actor on Hannah Montana, remembers Armitage and Raegan Revord finishing dinner scenes and heading straight to lessons.
Jason Alexander says Armitage’s intellectual maturity could make adults forget his age. He found that working well together meant respecting Armitage as a professional while leaving room for him to play and behave like a child between takes.
Wallace Shawn recalls an early version of Armitage who ran around the set and was difficult to engage in a seated conversation. Over the years, he watched that energy give way to an increasingly poised, courteous young man.
Armitage and Revord Describe a Sibling Bond With Arguments
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Revord, who played Sheldon’s twin sister Missy, says sharing the experience of sudden fame helped them and Armitage understand each other. Both describe a bond resembling that of siblings, complete with disagreements after spending so much time together.
Producer Steve Holland says both performers were only children and had different interests as they grew older. He remembers Revord enjoying books and games, while Armitage pursued interests such as practicing Russian.
Armitage also praises Revord’s work beyond the sitcom, including writing books, streaming on Twitch and continuing to act.
Holland says Montana Jordan, who played older brother Georgie, had a similar role within the young cast. Both Armitage and Revord looked up to him.