Stuart Fails to Save the Universe
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is an upcoming single-camera comedy/sci-fi series set in The Big Bang Theory universe. Starring Kevin Sussman, the series is set to premiere Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max, with new episodes released weekly on Thursdays.
SFTSTU is the fourth series in the TBBT universe, following The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019), Young Sheldon (2017–2024) and Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage (2024–present).
Premise
The series follows comic book store owner Stuart Bloom after he accidentally damages a device created by The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter, triggering a multiverse catastrophe. As he attempts to restore reality, Stuart is assisted by his girlfriend Denise, geologist Bert Kibbler and quantum physicist Barry Kripke.
Their mission sends them into a post-apocalyptic nightmare, where they come face to face with alternate-universe versions of familiar characters from The Big Bang Theory.
The single-camera show combines comedy with elements of science-fiction and fantasy, drawing inspiration from its comic book store setting. The show marks a departure from <em>The Big Bang Theory</em>’s multi-camera format with its more cinematic style and use of CGI effects.
Cast and Characters
Kevin Sussman returns as Stuart Bloom, the owner of the comic book store frequently visited by the guys in The Big Bang Theory. Sussman first appeared in TBBT’s second season and became a regular in later years, appearing in a total of 84 episodes.
Lauren Lapkus returns as Denise, Stuart’s girlfriend and co-worker at the comic book store. The character was introduced in the final two seasons of The Big Bang Theory, where she appeared in eight episodes.
Brian Posehn portrays Dr. Bert Kibbler, a rock-loving geologist at Caltech. Posehn first appeared in The Big Bang Theory during its sixth season and appeared in 14 episodes through the end of the series.
John Ross Bowie reprises his role as Dr. Barry Kripke, a physicist at Caltech who was a frenemy of Sheldon and the guys. Bowie appeared in 25 episodes of The Big Bang Theory between 2009 and 2019.
New recurring cast members include Ryan Cartwright, Josh Brener and Tommy Walker, who play newly created characters named Kyle, Trevor, and Gary, respectively. Cartwright’s Kyle is described as a regular at the comic book store, while Gary is Denise’s handsome new boyfriend. Cartwright and Brener both guest-starred in The Big Bang Theory in other roles during its original run.
Development
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe was developed by The Big Bang Theory co-creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, along with screenwriter Zak Penn (Ready Player One, Free Guy), who all serve as executive producers. The show is produced by Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.
Reports of a new spin-off first emerged in April 2023, when Lorre was said to be developing a series “derived from” The Big Bang Theory for HBO Max. Progress was limited during the 2023 Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes. The casting of Sussman, Lapkus, and Posehn was confirmed in October 2024, followed by Bowie in February 2025. The series title, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, was revealed in March 2025.
By June 2025, Lorre stated that ten episodes had been written and described the show as a “significant departure” from his earlier sitcoms. HBO Max ordered the series to production the following month.
In April 2026, HBO Max announced during a CCXP Mexico City panel with Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, Brian Posehn and John Ross Bowie that the series would premiere in July 2026. The panel also included new concept art and first-look stills from the show, while an official Instagram account, @stuartfails, was launched alongside the reveal.
Emmy and Grammy Award winner Danny Elfman will compose the show’s original theme music. Elfman is known for his work on films including Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and Batman Returns, as well as television themes including The Simpsons and Desperate Housewives.
Filming and Release
Filming on the first season began in September 2025 on the Universal Studios Hollywood backlot in Los Angeles, as indicated by photos shared by Bill Prady on social media.
HBO Max released the first brief footage from Stuart Fails to Save the Universe in a December 2025 spot highlighting its 2026 programming slate. The spot included shots of Stuart looking panicked in the Comic Center of Pasadena and Bert tied to a stake in front of torch-wielding villagers.
In April 2026, HBO Max released several first-look images from Stuart Fails to Save the Universe:
The official teaser was released in May 2026 after being unveiled by Sussman, Lapkus, Posehn and Bowie during Warner Bros. Discovery’s Upfront presentation in New York. The teaser shows Bert entering the Comic Center of Pasadena, where Stuart asks him how it is out there. After flashes of apocalyptic chaos, Bert deadpans, “I think there’s room for some improvement.” Other footage teases giant bugs, desolate war zones, a supreme ruler of Southern Pasadena and a wormhole.
An alternate Stuart from another stream of reality pleads with Stuart to prevent the catastrophe, warning that the “apocalyptic nightmare” never has to happen and insisting Stuart can “put everything right” and “make it the way it was.”
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will premiere Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max. The first season will consist of 10 episodes, with new episodes released weekly on Thursdays.
This page was last updated May 17, 2026.