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‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Creator Says ‘Big Bang’ Character Was “Worst Choice” To Lead Spin-Off, “Which Made Him The Perfect Choice”
Chuck Lorre, co-creator of The Big Bang Theory, has explained why he chose comic book store owner Stuart Bloom, played by Kevin Sussman, to headline the franchise's newest spin-off, "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe." Lorre said Stuart was deliberately "the absolute worst choice" to be a hero, arguing that this unlikely premise is precisely what made him the right lead for the show, which premieres on HBO Max.
In the series, Stuart must prevent a "multiverse armageddon" after accidentally breaking a device built by Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter, sending him and his friends across alternate universes. The spin-off, created by Lorre alongside Zak Penn and Bill Prady, reunites Stuart with fellow Big Bang Theory characters Bert (Brian Posehn), Denise (Lauren Lapkus) and Kripke (John Ross Bowie). Lorre said Sussman was his choice "right from the very beginning," while Sussman himself has admitted that leading his own spin-off was unexpected.
In short
- Chuck Lorre defends Stuart Bloom as spin-off lead despite being an unlikely hero
- "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe" premieres on HBO Max
- Kevin Sussman reprises Stuart alongside other Big Bang Theory characters
Explained simply
The Big Bang Theory was a successful American sitcom that centred on a group of physicists and their social circle. Stuart Bloom was a minor character throughout the show's run—the chronically anxious owner of a comic book store who appeared occasionally but remained on the margins of the main storyline.
A new spin-off series called "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe" will premiere on HBO Max, placing this previously supporting character in the lead role. The series follows Stuart as he attempts to prevent a universal catastrophe triggered when he accidentally damages a device created by the original show's main characters.
Stuart's elevation to lead character is particularly striking given his previous role as a minor supporting player in the franchise. This decision contrasts with the typical approach of spin-off productions, which usually centre on the most prominent or fan-favourite supporting characters from the original show.