When is the 'Young Sheldon' finale? What happened to George Sr.? How to watch Thursday

"Young Sheldon" wraps up this week with a series finale Thursday night.

During the one-hour series finale, 14-year-old Sheldon will finally leave East Texas for the California Institute of Technology following the death of his father, George Cooper Sr., USA TODAY reports. The series finale will also feature the return of Jim Parsons, who plays adult Sheldon in "The Big Bang Theory" and narrates "Young Sheldon" in the spinoff series.

Here's what to know about "Young Sheldon" and how to watch Thursday.

When is the 'Young Sheldon' series finale?

The one-hour series finale of "Young Sheldon" airs Thursday, May 16.

What time does the 'Young Sheldon' finale come on?

The series finale of "Young Sheldon" airs Thursday, May 16, at 8 p.m. ET.

What channel is 'Young Sheldon' on?

"Young Sheldon" broadcasts on CBS.

How to stream the 'Young Sheldon' series finale

The series finale of "Young Sheldon" will be available to stream on Paramount+, but only some subscribers can watch live. Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers can watch episodes of "Young Sheldon" both live and on-demand, while Paramount+ Essential subscribers can only stream episodes the day after they air.

Will there be a season 8 of 'Young Sheldon'?

Despite the popularity of "Young Sheldon," the coming-of-age sitcom and No. 1 comedy for CBS since 2017, it was not renewed for an eighth season, the network announced in November 2023.

"We look forward to seeing their final season unfold and giving it a proper sendoff with the best episodes yet for their fans to enjoy," Amy Reichenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, said.

Why is 'Young Sheldon' ending?

According to USA TODAY, co-creator and executive producer Chuck Lorre said both franchise lore and the age of Iain Armitage, who plays Sheldon, created an inevitable end for the prequel series.

"In the 'Big Bang' universe, Sheldon goes to Caltech at 14. Even if we ignored that, the show is called 'Young Sheldon,' and that's not true anymore," says Lorre. "We got to watch this guy grow up, and it was wonderful. It's heartbreaking to end, even though it was the right story decision. It just felt like the right time. But it didn't make it any less emotional."

Why did they kill off George in 'Young Sheldon'?

The established canon in "The Big Bang Theory" includes the inevitable storyline of Sheldon's father having an affair and dying. George Sr.'s death was always part of the show's mythology, and it was crucial for show creators to connect back to it at the end of "Young Sheldon."

However, the offscreen heart attack death of George Sr. (Lance Barber) revealed in the final moments of the May 9 episode was still heartbreaking for many fans.

Is 'Young Sheldon' getting a spinoff series?

According to Deadline, CBS announced a new "Young Sheldon" spinoff comedy series is in the works and is slated for broadcast in the 2024-25 season. The new half-hour series will star Montana Jordan and Emily Osment as Sheldon's brother, Georgie, and Mandy, a 30-year-old woman Georgie met at Connie's laundromat and gambling room in season 5.

The new series will follow the young couple as they raise their family in Texas and navigate the challenges of adulthood, parenting and marriage.

"It has been a privilege to spend the last seven years with Sheldon and the Cooper family, and now this wonderful journey will continue with Georgie and Mandy," Reichenbach said.

When will 'Young Sheldon' season 7 be on Netflix?

Season 7 of "Young Sheldon" has not yet premiered on Netflix. However, The Daily Star reports in past years, seasons of "Young Sheldon" have landed on the platform around nine months after the television debut. Thus, season 7 will likely appear on Netflix sometime at the end of 2024 or early 2025.

'Young Sheldon' series finale preview

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'Young Sheldon': When's the finale? What happened to George Sr.?