The Big Bang Theory is about to expand with a brand new spin-off – and it has direct ties to the original main cast members from the long-running sitcom.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe focuses Bloom, the owner of the comic book store frequented by Big Bang Theory characters Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki). The new show sees him break a device Sheldon and Leonard built, which leads to a multiverse armageddon.
On Sunday (26 April), HBO Max released a first look at the series and confirmed it will be released in July.
The new series will also build upon the budding romance between Stuart – played by Kevin Sussman – and Denise, played by returning cast member Lauren Lapkus. Also joining for the adventure is geologist Bert (Brian Posehn) and quantum physicist Barry Kripke, played by John Ross Bowie.
In the series, Stuart will become de facto leader of the crew – but won’t be very good at it, according to Sussman, who said at CCXP Mexico City: “I do my best, but really, I’m way out of my comfort zone.”
Original Big Bang Theory co-creator Chuck Lorre has returned for the new show and, in a statement, he said: “I wanted to do something radical that would take me out of my comfort zone. Something the characters on The Big Bang Theory would have loved, hated, and argued about.”
In addition, fellow creator Zak Penn described the show as being something that “characters from Big Bang Theory would watch” and that he “couldn’t be more honoured to be working with these amazing people”.
However, when it was first announced, many fans were quick to question the necessity for yet another show based on the hit sitcom, which ran for 12 seasons from 2007 to 2020.
The original became a huge hit for CBS and saw its lead stars, including Kaley Cuoco, Kunal Nayyar and Simon Helberg, become some of the highest-paid stars in TV.
Young Sheldon became another hit for CBS, lasting for seven seasons from 2017 to 2024. When the show came to an end, executive producer Steve Holland stated: “This is the right time for this story to come to an end.”
