Where ‘Stuart Fails To Save The Universe’ Fits In ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Timeline
The Big Bang Theory (2007) is one of those shows that, even though I have never seen it in its entirety, I feel like I know it so well. Whether because of its status as a cultural phenomenon or because of its sheer number of reruns on TV at any moment, it’s a real challenge to be a fan of TV and not know a thing about The Big Bang Theory. For instance, I know that the elevator in their building is always broken, and I somehow learned all the words to the “Soft Kitty” song.
I also know that The Big Bang Theory has one of the longest-running sitcom franchises. There was a whole bit on the internet about Young Sheldon (2017) never-ending—perhaps just leading right into the original series. Needless to say, the original series has a presence in pop culture, so it’s anything but surprising that it is expanding once again. This time with Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (2026). The latest spin-off of The Big Bang Theory premieres on Thursday, July 23, 2026, on HBO Max, with new episodes releasing weekly. But where does it fit in the shared universe?
‘The Big Bang Theory’ Universe, Explained
The metaphorical Big Bang that started it all for this franchise was The Big Bang Theory, which premiered on CBS in September 2007. The show followed a group of friends and scientists—Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki), Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), and Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar). Their lives are forever changed by the arrival of Leonard and Sheldon’s new neighbor across the hall, Penny (Kaley Cuoco). I know that Cuoco often does (and should) get her flowers for The Flight Attendant (2020), but she’s my favorite part of every episode that I’ve seen of The Big Bang Theory.
That show aired for an impressive 12 seasons, with each one arriving in September. As a fan of the consistency of network TV’s schedule, that is so pleasing to me. Two years before it ended in 2019, The Big Bang Theory’s universe extended back in time with its first spin-off series, Young Sheldon. Debuting in September 2017, the prequel series followed a young Sheldon (Iain Armitage) and his family in Medford, Texas. Again, I’ve only seen parts of this show, and I was still moved by the scenes depicting the wake of George Sr.’s (Lance Barber) death in the seventh and final season.
Parsons, an executive producer on Young Sheldon, reprised his role through a voiceover across the seven seasons that eventually led to an in-person cameo in the series finale. Then, Young Sheldon contextualized the voiceovers as a present-day Sheldon writing his childhood memoir. Otherwise, The Big Bang Theory’s universe stays in the past as it expands to Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage (2024). It picks up shortly after Young Sheldon, following Georgie (Montana Jordan) and Mandy (Emily Osment) as parents to their daughter, CeeCee. As an Emily Osment fan since the days of Hannah Montana (2006), I'm glad to see her thriving as the co-lead of this sitcom, which is set to return for a third season later this year.
Because of Osment, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage is the show that I watch the most, and I’m never lost. Despite the shared universe spanning decades in its stories and nearly two decades in production, each of these shows seems to be made as rewarding for long-time fans and accessible for newcomers. “You can watch Young Sheldon without knowing anything about The Big Bang Theory. And I believe you can watch this new show without watching Young Sheldon. It’s a new start,” Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage star Montana Jordan told Us Weekly in October 2025. So, if you may have missed a few episodes (or seasons) over the many years, there’s still a chance to watch Stuart Fails to Save the Universe—if it follows suit.
When Does ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Take Place?
Fascinatingly, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is the first and only show (so far) in the shared universe to take place after The Big Bang Theory. It brings four supporting characters from the original show into series regular roles: Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman), Denise (Lauren Lapkus), Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie), and Bert Kibbler (Brian Posehn). The titular character “is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon,” per the show’s description.
Given the comic book store owner’s tendency for bad luck, this chain of events isn’t all that surprising. However, the real surprise may be in who else from The Big Bang Theory shows up on Stuart, Denise, Barry, and Bert’s quest. After all, the show will see them “meet alternate-universe versions of characters” from the original series. It remains to be seen who that will be. “That is a closely guarded piece of information that, you know...I've taken a blood oath regarding,” executive producer Chuck Lorre told TV Line back in July 2025.
Post-principal photography, Lorre also told People in February of this year that he’s “pretty excited about” Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, calling it “a big swing.” Lorre talked about the science fiction action-comedy opening up doors to “try and do something with all the extraordinary computer graphics available now and see if it could be funny.” Relatedly, I’m curious to see how different Stuart Fails to Save the Universe looks compared to its predecessors. After all, it’s the only series made for a streamer. All the other shows—The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage—air(ed) on CBS. Assumably, that different platform gives Stuart Fails to Save the Universe the opportunity to take the world of The Big Bang Theory to new places in its story, as well as in its production.
