The “Big Bang Theory” universe continues to expand, as HBO Max has ordered the spinoff “Stuart Doesn’t Save the Universe” to series.
The comedy, which hails from Chuck Lorre Productions, follows comic book store owner Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman) as he is tasked with restoring reality after breaking a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally triggering a Multiverse Armageddon, according to the official storyline.
Stuart is aided in this mission by his girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus), geologist friend Bert (Brian Posehn), and quantum physicist/general pain in the ass Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie). Along the way, they encounter alternate-universe versions of characters we know and love from “The Big Bang Theory.” As the title suggests, things don’t go well.
“I wanted to do something radical that would take me out of my comfort zone. Something that the characters on ‘The Big Bang Theory’ would have loved, hated and argued about,” Chuck Lorre said in a statement.
The spinoff reunites Lorre with Bill Prady, who co-created the original series that ran for 12 seasons between 2007 and 2019.
“The process of writing this show with Chuck and Zak has been fun, and I’m sure that joy will shine through on screen,” Prady said. “Putting the characters we love from ‘The Big Bang Theory’ into a complex sci-fi story with the kind of mythology these characters love, while maintaining the comedic elements, is incredibly satisfying.”
In addition to Lorre and Prady, Zak Penn joins the pair as an executive producer.
“I was on a vision quest in the remotest 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 the idea, so I packed up my yurt and hopped on the next Dirigible,” Penn said. “At the same time, Chuck sent an expedition to locate Bill Prady, who had been frozen with his chest shield in a block of Arctic ice. The team assembled, and 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.”
Chuck Lorre Productions produces in association with Warner Bros. Television.
“Chuck and Bill gave us one of the most enduring comedies of our time with ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ and we can’t wait to see that universe continue with this new series,” said Warner Bros. Television Group and WBD US Networks Chairman and CEO. “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 new twist. We thank our partners at HBO Max for joining us on this next adventure.”
Stuart Bloom and Barry Kripke were introduced as characters in the original series during its second season and would become recurring characters until the end of the sitcom.
Meanwhile, Bert was added as a recurring character starting in season 6 and would appear in a total of 15 episodes, while Denise’s character did not appear until the second episode of the final season.
All 12 seasons of “The Big Bang Theory” are currently available to stream on HBO Max .
