Chuck Lorre’s latest comedy blasts Stuart and friends into a multiverse meltdown on HBO Max

HBO Max has boldly taken The Big Bang Theory into uncharted territory with its greenlighting of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe — a surreal, sci-fi-laced sitcom starring fan favourite Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom. But unlike its parent show, which kept its nerdy humour rooted in Pasadena physics labs and comic book stores, this spinoff catapults Stuart into a multiverse crisis of cosmic proportions.

Created by Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady, the new series brings back some familiar faces from the original show. Lauren Lapkus returns as Stuart’s girlfriend Denise, alongside Brian Posehn as socially awkward geologist Bert, and John Ross Bowie as quantum physicist Barry Kripke. Together, they must restore reality after Stuart accidentally triggers an interdimensional catastrophe — all thanks to a mysterious device built by Sheldon and Leonard.

In a move that merges geek culture with mind-bending science fiction, Stuart shatters the multiverse after mishandling the device, plunging himself and his ragtag crew into alternate realities where versions of their friends — and themselves — behave in hilariously unexpected ways.

Chuck Lorre explained his decision to take a creative leap: “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, best known for his work on Ready Player One and the X-Men franchise, revealed how the project came together in typically irreverent fashion. “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 Lorre asking if I wanted to help make a show that the characters from ‘Big Bang Theory’ would watch,” he joked. “I packed up my yurt and hailed the next dirigible out.”

The series promises not only nostalgia but also chaotic storytelling energy, allowing beloved characters from the original series to reappear — albeit with wild twists. Expect to see alternate-universe versions of Sheldon, Leonard, Penny, and others, though their casting and appearances are still under wraps.

Notably, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe marks a sharp genre pivot from traditional laugh-track sitcom to genre-blending sci-fi comedy — a move that may intrigue or alienate long-time viewers. But HBO Max seems confident, betting on Lorre’s creative instincts and the cultural capital of the Big Bang brand to drive interest.

This will be Lorre’s third major expansion of The Big Bang Theory universe, following the success of Young Sheldon and the briefly rumoured Penny-and-Leonard spinoff that never materialised. Where Young Sheldon offered heartwarming backstory and nostalgia, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe leans into chaos, high concept humour, and quantum absurdity.

Production is set to begin later this year, with episodes expected to air in 2026. Early buzz suggests the show could blend the comedic DNA of The Big Bang Theory with the eccentricity of Rick and Morty and Community’s darkest timelines.

As Stuart Bloom prepares to bumble his way through collapsing universes, fans can expect an unpredictable journey — one where pop culture references, improbable science, and dysfunctional friendships collide on a multiversal scale.