“Stuart Fails to Save the Universe”: All about the new “Big Bang Theory ”spinoff (and which guest stars are returning)

Key Points

• HBO Max has given a series order to Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, an upcoming Big Bang Theory spinoff.

• Kevin Sussman will reprise his role as comic book store owner Stuart Bloom.

• The sci-fi comedy is said to feature “alternate-universe versions” of Big Bang Theory characters, so expect lots of cameos.

The Big Bang Theory universe is about to get, well, bigger.

Since saying goodbye to the series in 2019, CBS has found success with two TBBT spinoffs: Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. Now, a new challenger approaches with Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, and creator Chuck Lorre says it will push the franchise in a strange, new direction.

“I’m completely out of my element, which is what I wanted,” Lorre said at the Banff World Media Festival in June.

The new series revolves around Stuart Bloom, the comic book store owner played by Kevin Sussman. But don’t expect a workaday comedy — Lorre says Stuart Fails will break the bounds of reality, weaving “science fiction and fantasy into a comedy.”

Lorre, who previously created Two and a Half Men, Mom, and Leanne, has assembled a crack team for the new series, including Big Bang Theory co-creator Bill Prady and writer Zak Penn (X-Men: The Last Stand, Ready Player One). He’s also secured a series order from HBO Max, revealing that Prady and Penn have already penned 10 episodes.

But, you might be wondering, what is Stuart Fails to Save the Universe actually about? Will any other TBBT alums join Sussman’s Stuart? And when might the series enter our orbit?

Read on for everything we know about Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.

What is Stuart Fails to Save the Universe about?

According to its official logline, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will find Sussman’s Stuart “tasked with restoring reality” after breaking a device built by The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki).” This mishap “accidentally [brings] about a multiverse Armageddon.”

A handful of familiar faces from Big Bang Theory are joining Stuart, including geologist Bert (Brian Posehn), quantum physicist Barry (John Ross Bowie), and assistant manager Denise (Lauren Lapkus), who entered into a relationship with Stuart during Big Bang Theory’s final season.

The synopsis also teases that the gang’s multiversal adventures will confront them with “alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from The Big Bang Theory.“

In a statement, Lorre described the show as “something the characters on The Big Bang Theory would have loved, hated, and argued about.” Penn, meanwhile, called it “insane.”

Prady put his work on the series thusly: “Putting characters we loved from The Big Bang Theory into a complex science-fiction story with the kind of mythology that those characters love while maintaining the comedic elements is incredibly satisfying.”

And the creators aren’t kidding about the show’s sci-fi elements. “There’s a lot of CGI,” Lorre said. “There’s a lot of special technical stuff that — you know, for me in my career, a big production number was two people sitting on a couch, drinking coffee! This is different.”

Who’s in the Stuart Fails to Save the Universe cast?

Joining the four Big Bang Theory vets — Sussman, Lapkus, Posehn, and Ross Bowie — are, well, a few more Big Bang Theory vets.

That said, Ryan Cartwright and Josh Brener will not be reprising their guest spots from the sitcom. Instead, Cartwright (Kevin Can Wait) is a comic book nerd and regular patron of Stuart’s store. Brener (Silicon Valley, Saturday Night) will play a character named Trevor. On The Big Bang Theory, Brener played Dale, a pal of Stuart’s.

A fresh addition to the universe is Tommy Walker, who previously appeared on Lorre’s The Kominsky Method (2019). He’ll play Gary, a new love interest for Lapkus’ Denise.

It’s worth reiterating that the series’ description says it will feature “alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from The Big Bang Theory.” Will that include Sheldon, Leonard, Penny (Kaley Cuoco), Howard (Simon Helberg), and Raj (Kunal Nayyar)? And, if so, will they be played by the same actors or new faces put forth by the multiverse? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Is there a Stuart Fails to Save the Universe release date?

A premiere date for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has yet to be announced.

Where can I watch Stuart Fails to Save the Universe?

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will stream on HBO Max.

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