A compelling sitcom series built around distinctive characters, escalating conflicts, and a premise designed to keep viewers invested.
2026
Comedy, Fantasy
10 episodes
TheNextHint Score
7.8
7.8 / 10
Overview
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is a 2026 sci-fi comedy sitcom that spins off directly from The Big Bang Theory. Kevin Sussman is back as Stuart Bloom, the comic book store owner who has always felt more at ease with superheroes and comic books than with dealing with real-life problems. But this time, his problems grow far bigger. After Stuart accidentally breaks a quantum-interference device that Sheldon and Leonard built, reality splits apart and a multiverse crisis breaks out. He has to find a way to fix the damage before the different realities fall apart.
Stuart is joined by his girlfriend Denise, geologist Bert Kibbler, and Barry Kripke, played by Lauren Lapkus, Brian Posehn, and John Ross Bowie. The show uses alternate universes to put the characters in wildly different situations, such as an AI-run world, a reality where magic is real, a paradise that crumbles, a telepathic society, a world stuck in endless war, and even a comic-book universe. Familiar Big Bang Theory characters show up in alternate forms too.
The first season has 10 episodes and premiered in the U.S. on July 23, 2026, with the finale arriving September 24, 2026. HBO Max has renewed the series for Season 2, though no release date has been announced yet.
Quick Verdict
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is made especially for viewers who like The Big Bang Theory but want a story that goes past the sitcom's usual setting. The biggest difference is that it uses alternate realities, which lets each episode look at a different genre or a different version of the world. The characters who come back give the show continuity, while the multiverse setup gives Stuart a much bigger problem than he has ever had to deal with.
Where to Watch Stuart Fails to Save the Universe in the US
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is a 2026 sci-fi comedy sitcom that comes directly from The Big Bang Theory. Kevin Sussman is back as Stuart Bloom, the comic book store owner who has always felt more at ease with superheroes and comic books than with dealing with real-life problems. But this time, his problems get much bigger. After Stuart breaks a quantum-interference device that Sheldon and Leonard built, reality splits apart, and a multiverse crisis starts. He has to find a way to fix the damage before the different realities fall apart.
Stuart is joined by his girlfriend Denise, geologist Bert Kibbler, and Barry Kripke, played by Lauren Lapkus, Brian Posehn, and John Ross Bowie. The series uses alternate universes to put the characters in wildly different situations, such as an AI-run world, a reality where magic is real, a paradise that crumbles, a telepathic society, a world stuck in endless war, and even a comic-book universe. Familiar Big Bang Theory characters also show up in alternate forms.
The first season has 10 episodes and premiered in the U.S. on July 23, 2026, with the finale coming out on September 24, 2026. HBO Max has renewed the series for Season 2, though no release date has been announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Stuart Fails to Save the Universe about?
"The Big Bang Theory" spin-off centers on comic book store owner Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman) as he tries to fix the multiverse disaster he accidentally caused with help from his girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus), geologist friend Bert (Brian Posehn), and quantum physicist Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie).
Who created, wrote, or directed Stuart Fails to Save the Universe?
Created by his girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus), geologist friend Bert (Brian Posehn), and quantum physicist Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie)
Is Stuart Fails to Save the Universe a spin-off of The Big Bang Theory?
Yes. It is a direct spin-off centered on Stuart Bloom, who was originally introduced in The Big Bang Theory. The new series brings back several actors from the original sitcom.
When did Stuart Fails to Save the Universe premiere?
The series premiered on July 23, 2026, on HBO Max.
How many episodes are in Season 1?
Season 1 has 10 episodes, released weekly from July 23 through September 24, 2026.
Story — Spoiler Free
Stuart Bloom's life takes a turn when a quantum device malfunctions and reality starts to fall apart. Along with Denise, Bert, and Barry Kripke, Stuart must travel between alternate universes to find a way to fix the damage. Each universe has its own rules, dangers, and surprises, which makes the group's journey impossible to predict. The show mixes well-known Big Bang Theory characters with science-fiction ideas, fantasy worlds, comic-book concepts, and strange alternate versions of reality.
7.8
TheNextHint Score
7.8 / 10
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is made especially for viewers who like The Big Bang Theory but want a story that goes past the sitcom's usual setting. The biggest difference is that it uses alternate realities, which lets each episode look at a different genre or a different version of the world. The characters who come back give the show continuity, while the multiverse setup gives Stuart a much bigger problem than he has ever had to deal with.
Rating breakdown
Story
8.0
Acting
8.0
Direction
8.0
Visuals
8.0
Sound
7.0
Entertainment
8.0
External Ratings
Scores from other sources, shown in their own scale. These are not TheNextHint's rating.
The comic book store owner who becomes responsible for fixing the multiverse crisis.
Lauren Lapkus
as
Denise
Stuart's girlfriend and comic-book-store colleague who joins the multiverse journey.
Brian Posehn
as
Bert Kibbler
Stuart's geologist friend and one of his companions during the search for a solution.
John Ross Bowie
as
Barry Kripke
The familiar physicist and former Big Bang Theory character who becomes part of Stuart's unlikely team.
Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
10 episodes July 23, 2026Airing
Season 1 follows Stuart and his friends as they move through increasingly strange realities while trying to repair the device responsible for the multiverse crisis.
1Spoiler: Gary Dies
26 min July 23, 2026
Stuart breaks a quantum-interference device and is forced to confront a multiverse-threatening catastrophe.
2Spoiler: Zack's in This One
21 min July 30, 2026
The group reaches an apparently peaceful Earth that is secretly controlled by a dangerous AI.
3Spoiler: Bert Is Magic
18 min August 6, 2026
In a universe where magic exists, Bert discovers an unexpected ability while Stuart seeks help from a powerful wizard.
4Spoiler: Stuart Makes a Wallet
25 min August 13, 2026
Stuart ends up in a mental hospital and begins questioning whether his memories of the multiverse are real.
5Spoiler: Bert Gets Married
20 min August 20, 2026
The group reaches a seemingly peaceful natural society, where Bert finds love while the device breaks again.
6Spoiler: Corn Is Delicious
22 min August 27, 2026
Stuart and Denise move closer while Bert and Kripke work together to find their way out of another strange reality.
7Spoiler: Dexys Midnight Runners Get a Royalty Payment
16 min September 3, 2026
The group attempts to steal new technology from Caltech and encounters familiar visitors.
8Spoiler: We're as Confused as You Are
18 min September 10, 2026
Stuart and the others enter a world locked in perpetual war and must finish their mission before escaping.
9Spoiler: We Couldn't Get Green Lantern
18 min September 17, 2026
Trapped inside a comic book, the group seeks superhero help while dealing with supervillains.
10Spoiler: Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience
18 min September 24, 2026
Back in the comic-book store, the group tries to understand its reality while an unexplained laugh track becomes part of the mystery.
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