‘The Big Bang Theory’s New Spin-Off Sounds Like Fan Fic - But It's 100% Real

It has been seven years since The Big Bang Theory (2007) ended its 12-season run. Over the years, fans came to love the witty, nerdy characters and the comforting nature of the episodes, filled with zingers and shenanigans. The show’s longevity and popularity made it a shoo-in for spin-offs. So far, it has enjoyed two successful prequel spin-offs, Young Sheldon (2017) and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage (2024).

Still, it would be nice to see the original characters in a sequel spin-off, rather than as younger versions of themselves in the prequels. Most of us suspected that if The Big Bang Theory ever produced such a spin-off, it would focus on either Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco), or Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Amy (Mayim Bialik). However, now that a spin-off featuring an original The Big Bang Theory character is here, we’re a little surprised it’s focused on none other than comic book store owner, Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman).

‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’: Plot Details and Cast Info (So Far)

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (2026) is The Big Bang Theory’s latest spin-off series. As the title suggests, Kevin Sussman’s Stuart Bloom is the titular protagonist of the series. Sussman was a recurring, and later a regular, cast member on The Big Bang Theory as Stuart. Sussman isn’t the only familiar face in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, as Lauren Lapkus is also returning as Denise. Lapkus previously portrayed Denise, Stuart’s girlfriend and a comic book enthusiast, in a guest role in The Big Bang Theory. 

Other returning The Big Bang Theory cast members include Brian Posehn as Caltech Geology Professor Bert Kibbler, John Ross Bowie as Sheldon’s rival physicist Barry Kripke, and Joshua Malina, who played the Caltech President in the original series, in an undisclosed role. Ryan Cartwright, who portrayed Cole, the British student in Penny’s history class, and Josh Brener, who played Dale, an employee at the comic book store in The Big Bang Theory, will portray new characters, Kyle and Trevor, in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. Tommy Walker has also joined the cast as Gary, Denise’s new boyfriend.

As the official teaser reveals, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe sees Stuart accidentally bring about a multiversal apocalypse by breaking an invention created by Leonard and Sheldon. He sets out to save reality, aided by his girlfriend Denise, friend Bert, and frenemy Barry. Along the way, he runs into a few alternate versions of The Big Bang Theory characters, including another Barry, who is a villainous “supreme” leader in the alternate reality.

How Does the New ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Spin-off Connect to the Original Show?

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe directly connects to The Big Bang Theory through Stuart. In The Big Bang Theory, Stuart was an awkward comic book store owner who routinely tried, and failed, to get into the show’s main friend group. Although they won’t be cast members, the plot also references Sheldon and Leonard, given that their creation causes the apocalypse. Meanwhile, both the original and alternate versions of several characters from The Big Bang Theory appear. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe rounds up some of the strangest and most annoying The Big Bang Theory characters and gives them their chance to shine in a wild side story.

Can Non-‘The Big Bang Theory’ Show Fans Watch It?

So far, it remains unclear how connected Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is to The Big Bang Theory. However, there are hints that, like Young Sheldon, it may work well as a standalone series for newcomers to the franchise. After all, it’s moving away from The Big Bang Theory’s sitcom roots and delving more into the sci-fi realm with a whole new story and cast that didn’t get as much screen time in the original show. Young Sheldon proved that The Big Bang Theory creators could pull off a spin-off with a very different tone and themes from the original, raising expectations that Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will differentiate itself, too.

Still, we imagine that Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will be a bit more rewarding for fans of the original series, who will be able to recognize all the original characters or their alternate versions in the spin-off, as well as catch onto references to the original show.

‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Release Date & How to Watch

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe premieres on July 23, 2026, and will stream exclusively on Max.