The sci-fi comedy is said to feature “alternate-universe versions” of “Big Bang Theory” characters.

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

The sci-fi comedy is said to feature "alternate-universe versions" of "Big Bang Theory" characters.

By Randall Colburn

Randall Colburn

Randall Colburn is a writer and editor at **. His work has previously appeared on The A.V. Club, The Guardian, The Ringer, and many other publications.

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on April 28, 2026 12:22 p.m. ET

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Lauren Lapkus, Kevin Sussman, John Ross Bowie, and Brian Posehn on 'Stuart Fails to Save the Universe'.

- HBO Max's *Stuart Fails to Save the Universe *is an upcoming *Big Bang Theory *spinoff.

- The sci-fi comedy is said to feature "alternate-universe versions" of *Big Bang Theory* characters.

- It's slated to premiere in July.

*Who* fails to save the universe? Stuart. Who's Stuart? Allow us to explain.

Stuart is Stuart Bloom, a comic book store owner played by Kevin Sussman on *The Big Bang Theory*. He'll lead his own spinoff, *Stuart Fails to Save the Universe*, which is less a workaday comedy than it is a sci-fi sitcom about a "multiverse Armageddon." Also, prolific composer Danny Elfman, who wrote music for *The Simpsons* and *Wednesday*, will create theme music for the series.

*Stuart Fails to Save the Universe* comes from *Big Bang Theory *creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, as well as *Ready Player One* writer Zak Penn. It's the latest spinoff of the *Big Bang Theory*, which has also spawned *Young Sheldon* and *Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage*.**

But, you might be wondering, what is *Stuart Fails to Save the Universe* actually about? Will any other *TBBT* alums join 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?

John Ross Bowie, Lauren Lapkus, Kevin Sussman, and Brian Posehn on 'Stuart Fails to Save the Universe'.

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.

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?

Brian Posehn, Kevin Sussman, and Lauren Lapkus on 'Stuart Fails to Save the Universe'.

Colin Remas Brown/HBO Max

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.

Ryan Cartwright; Josh Brener; Tommy Walker.

Desiree Navarro/WireImage; Emma McIntyre/Getty; Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan via Getty

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 noting 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?

'Stuart Fails to Save the Universe' key art.

*Stuart Fails to Save the Universe* will debut in July.**

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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