“Young Sheldon” director recalls his ‘worst run-in’ with Iain Armitage in new book

Shelby StivaleTue, October 20, 2026 at 11:30 AM UTC

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Iain Armitage as Sheldon on ‘Young Sheldon’Credit: Robert Voets/CBS via GettyKey Points -

Young Sheldon director Alex Reid looked back on the “worst run-in” he had with star Iain Armitage.

The young star was apparently “pissed” at Reid, the new Young Sheldon book reveals.

“Iain wasn’t always comfortable talking about whatever he was really feeling,” Reid claimed.

TV director Alex Reid is looking back at his “worst run-in” with Iain Armitage on the Young Sheldon set.

“We were doing a scene, and it would not surprise me if Iain didn’t know he was on camera at this specific shot because he kind of wasn’t playing it like he was acting,” Reid recalled in the new Young Sheldon book, written by Jessica Radloff. “I went in there and said, ‘Iain, you’re on camera, so you got to give it your all.’ And he took that as ‘I’m not giving it my all?’”

According to Reid, the young star was “pissed” at the director’s implication. Armitage apparently kept wanting to “go again” so he could “give it my all.” After the scene, Reid apologized. (Reid directed 36 episodes of Young Sheldon.)

“I said, ‘That was a terrible choice of words on my part, and I apologize. I was just trying to protect you because you were on camera, and I wasn’t sure if you knew it or not,’” Reid recalled. “It was all lovey-dovey, and then I asked him if he’d go out and take a picture with me.”

‘Young Sheldon’ by Jessica RadloffCredit: Grand Central Publishing

The photo showed Reid standing alongside Armitage next to the Young Sheldon plaque, where they filmed the show.

“Iain wasn’t always comfortable talking about whatever he was really feeling or something,” Reid added. “He just put out this smoke screen of a million words and ideas and thoughts and impressions and accents and jokes, or whatever.”

Entertainment Weekly has reached out to Armitage’s team for further comment.

Armitage made headlines weeks before the Young Sheldon book was published, after Us Weekly ran an excerpt in which there were claims the actor was “difficult” on set. (Armitage was eight years old when production on the show began. Young Sheldon ran for seven seasons, from 2017 to 2024.)

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“They loved each other (and still do), but that doesn’t mean they always got along,” Radloff wrote of the cast in the book. “Relationships could get complicated, and there were times where certain bonds were stronger than others.”

Annie Potts, who played Meemaw Connie, made it clear that they were “all working for Iain” as his supporting cast. She noted that it was “a lot for a little person to manage psychologically,” and the “weight” of carrying the show would be “difficult” for an adult, nonetheless a child.

“We know that a lot of behavior comes out in situations like that. Yes, sometimes he was difficult. But I’ve worked with grown-ups who were a lot worse,” Potts said. “Sometimes I think he was tired, and sometimes I think he pushed people, and people were kissing his ass! It’s a very challenging situation to be 9 years old and be expected to work, behave, and think like a grown-up. And I say that with absolute love and respect.”

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Armitage addressed the claim in Radloff’s book as well.

“It was a complete privilege to be on this show and play this character, but yes, it was a big undertaking for an 8-year-old,” he said. “I always did the best that I could, and sometimes kids are not perfect. 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 is out now.

on Entertainment Weekly

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