Rex Linn Wanted McEntire as His Love Interest on TV

Actor Rex Linn shared his desire for a romantic storyline between his Young Sheldon character, Tom, and Reba McEntire's character, June. Linn revealed that he and McEntire actively pitched the idea to the show's writers. He even suggested a specific scene involving Tom and June after a football game. Initially, the writers considered a Tom and June pairing, but the concept later shifted towards a potential romance between Tom and Brenda, played by Melissa Peterman. Linn expressed surprise at this change, questioning the fate of the June storyline.

Ultimately, Tom remained a loner on the show, with no romantic connections developing for him. Linn acknowledged that McEntire's demanding schedule might have played a role in why a Tom and June romance didn't materialize. He also noted that his real-life relationship with McEntire, which began in 2020, did not translate into on-screen chemistry for their respective characters. The couple got engaged in 2024. Despite their off-screen romance, Linn and McEntire never filmed a scene together during Young Sheldon's seven-season run, from 2017 to 2024.