Stuart Bloom leads new Big Bang Theory spin‑off on HBO Max

HBO Max will launch the first‑ever Big Bang Theory spin‑off, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, on 23 July 2026. The ten‑episode first season follows comic‑book shop owner Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman) after he accidentally breaks a quantum device built by Sheldon and Leonard, triggering a multiverse crisis. Stuart teams up with Denise (Lauren Lapkus), geologist Bert (Brian Posehn) and physicist Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie) as they travel through alternate realities to repair the fabric of reality. Episodes run short by design – one is 15 minutes, four are 18 minutes, and the remaining five range from 20 to 25 minutes – a creative choice by creators Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady and Zak Penn to avoid padding. A companion podcast, hosted by Felicia Day and Wil Wheaton, will discuss each episode with cast and creators. The series is positioned to be accessible to viewers who have not seen the original sitcom while offering Easter‑egg‑rich references for longtime fans.