HBO Max orders sci-fi-comedy Big Bang Theory spinoff

HBO Max has greenlit a new comedy series, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, a spinoff of the long-running hit The Big Bang Theory.

The series is being developed by Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn and Bill Prady, the Emmy-nominated creative team behind the original show. It will be produced by Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content, said: “We’re excited to be continuing the legacy of The Big Bang Theory. 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.”

Chuck Lorre said the series is a deliberate departure: “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.”

Zak Penn 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 asking if I wanted to help make a show that the characters from The Big Bang Theory would watch. I couldn’t resist that idea.”

Bill Prady said: “Writing this show with Chuck and Zak has been damn fun. Putting characters we loved into a complex science fiction story... while maintaining the comedic elements is incredibly satisfying.”

Premise and cast

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe follows comic book store owner Stuart Bloom, who inadvertently triggers a multiverse catastrophe after breaking a device created by Sheldon and Leonard. He must restore reality with help from his girlfriend Denise, geologist friend Bert, and quantum physicist Barry Kripke. Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters from The Big Band Theory. As the title suggests, things don’t go to plan.

The series stars Kevin Sussman as Stuart, Lauren Lapkus as Denise, Brian Posehn as Bert, and John Ross Bowie as Barry Kripke.

Legacy and expectations

The Big Bang Theory originally aired from 2007 to 2019, running for 12 seasons. The franchise has already seen success with prequel series Young Sheldon, which concluded earlier this year.

Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. Television Group and WBD US Networks, said: “Chuck and Bill have given us one of the most enduring comedies of our time with The Big Bang Theory. This next iteration promises to capture the essence of what fans loved about the original series.”

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will stream exclusively on HBO Max. A release date is yet to be announced.

Top image: Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom

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