“Big Bang Theory” Universe Expands with New Sci-Fi Spinoff

More laughs are on the way from Pasadena. A new comedy, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, expands the world of The Big Bang Theory with a sci-fi twist, heading to HBO Max.

Return of a Fan Favorite

The show will revolve around comic book store owner Stuart Bloom, portrayed by Kevin Sussman, who had a recurring role in the original CBS hit series. Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, co-creators of The Big Bang Theory, are behind the project, along with Zak Penn (Free Guy).

HBO Max’s First Pickup

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe represents the first series greenlit for the newly rebranded HBO Max, which officially switched over from Max this past Wednesday. After a rocky 2023, analysts predict streaming services will increase original content spending by 6.7% this year (eMarketer).

Executive Insights

Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content, stated, “We’re excited to be continuing the legacy of The Big Bang Theory. Much like the original series, this new chapter wouldn’t be possible without the vision and storytelling brilliance of Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, as well as Zak Penn, who has brought fresh insight and a distinctive voice to an already exceptional creative team.”

Lorre added, “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.”

Familiar Faces Returning

Lauren Lapkus, Brian Posehn, and John Ross Bowie, who also had recurring roles in Big Bang, will be joining the cast. The show follows Stuart Bloom as he tries to fix reality after breaking a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, which leads to a multiverse Armageddon.

Aided by his girlfriend Denise (Lapkus), geologist friend Bert (Posehn), and quantum physicist Barry Kripke (Bowie), Stuart encounters alternate versions of beloved characters. As the title suggests, things don’t go as planned.

Creative Team’s Enthusiasm

Prady remarked, “The process of writing this show with Chuck and Zak has been damn fun, and I’m certain that joy will come through the screen. 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.”

Penn humorously added, “I was on a vision quest in the most remote parts of the Amazon rainforest when a carrier pigeon arrived with a note from Chuck Lorre asking if I wanted to help make a show that the characters from Big Bang Theory would watch. I couldn’t resist that idea, so I packed up my yurt and hailed the next dirigible out. At the same time, Chuck sent an expedition to locate Bill Prady, who had been frozen with his shield across his chest in a block of arctic ice. The team assembled, we set out to make this insane show, which lives in a universe created by Chuck and Bill. I couldn’t be more honored to be working with these amazing people.”

Production Details

Lorre, Prady, and Penn will serve as executive producers for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. Lorre’s production company is producing the show in partnership with Warner Bros. TV.

Channing Dungey, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group and WBD U.S. Networks, said, “Chuck and Bill have given us one of the most enduring comedies of our time with The Big Bang Theory, and we can’t wait to see the universe continue with this new series. With the help of Zak — a masterful storyteller — this next iteration promises to capture the essence of what fans loved about the original series, but with a completely fresh twist. We thank our partners HBO Max for joining us on this next adventure.”