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HBO Max is officially diving back into The Big Bang Theory universe with a new spinoff series titled Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. The show, centering on comic book store owner Stuart Bloom, will see Kevin Sussman reprise his role in a storyline that blends science fiction with classic sitcom humor. Joining him are Lauren Lapkus as Denise, Brian Posehn as geologist Bert, and John Ross Bowie returning as Barry Kripke.
First teased back in April 2023, the series has now been fully greenlit with Chuck Lorre at the helm as executive producer, alongside Bill Prady and Zak Penn. Lorre, stepping out of his usual comfort zone, described the new project as a “radical” leap into a science fiction space, while still rooted in the humor that made The Big Bang Theory a cultural phenomenon. The idea was to combine the deep, fandom-driven storytelling of sci-fi with the comedic character dynamics that originally drew viewers in.
The premise pushes the Big Bang world into uncharted territory: Stuart accidentally destroys a powerful scientific device created by Sheldon and Leonard, triggering chaos across the multiverse. The responsibility of repairing reality falls on him and his quirky team, which includes his girlfriend Denise, the socially awkward but lovable Bert, and the sharp-tongued physicist Barry Kripke. This premise gives the spinoff room to explore alternate realities where versions of the original characters might still exist. Though not officially confirmed, this opens the door for potential cameos by Jim Parsons (Sheldon) and Johnny Galecki (Leonard), especially given their indirect role in the disaster.
Zak Penn, known for The Avengers and Ready Player One, brings his genre expertise as co-writer, adding a level of storytelling ambition not typically seen in sitcoms. In typical tongue-in-cheek fashion, he joked about receiving Chuck Lorre’s invitation via carrier pigeon while on a vision quest, highlighting the playful energy behind the project’s creation.
So far, ten scripts have been written, with an early table read in March helping fine-tune the tone and pacing. Warner Bros. Television Group’s Channing Dungey praised Lorre and Prady’s ability to keep the universe fresh and relevant, noting that the new series promises to build on the legacy of one of TV’s most beloved shows.
Filming will take place in Los Angeles, maintaining continuity with the original production setup. With a core cast that mixes returning favorites and fresh energy, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe aims to be both a nostalgic callback and a new chapter that pushes The Big Bang Theory into uncharted comic-book-worthy territory.