Stuart Fails To Save The Universe Finally Cuts Off The Big Bang Theory

Published Aug 22, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT

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Before Kevin Sussman's new series, all prequels in the universe lived in the past. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is the first sequel offshoot of The Big Bang Theory, but it isn't a straight-up follow-up. It tackles Stuart's multiversal adventure after the destruction of Sheldon, Leonard, and Howard's Vari-state Quantum Entanglement Device, while John Ross Bowie’s Barry Kripke, Brian Posehn’s Bert Kibbler, and Lauren Lapkus’s Denise join him. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is far from the grounded storytelling of the franchise, and while it is standing on the shoulders of The Big Bang Theory's success, it finally breaks free of its strong ties to it in episode 5.

Stuart Fails To Save The Universe Episode 5 Doesn't Have Any The Big Bang Theory Cameos

Image via Everett Collection

In "Spoiler: Bert Gets Married," Stuart and the gang land in a primitive era. As they get to know the tribe that they spend time with, they soon realize how different their way of life is compared to them, and not just in a bad way. While Bert usually struggles to be in a relationship, he easily finds one in this universe; the same goes with Barry. Understandably, the duo isn't keen on leaving it, unlike Stuart and Sheldon. Aside from the chaos that ensues after they explore the idea of monogamy and marriage, there's one thing that Stuart Fails to Save the Universe for the very first time in episode 5: not having any The Big Bang Theory cameos.

During its first four episodes, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe brought back at least one familiar face from the nerd-centric sitcom. Episode 1 had Kunal Nayyar's Raj, followed by Kaley Cuoco's Penny, Melissa Rauch's Bernadette, and Mayim Bialik's Amy. Outside the core Pasadena gang, the trippy sequel has also featured Riki Lindhome's Ramona, Wil Wheaton, Christine Baranski, and Penn & Teller. "Spoiler: Bert Gets Married" marks the first time in its run that Stuart Fails to Save the Universe stands on its own without any involvement from The Big Bang Theory players.

Who Else From The Big Bang Theory Might Appear In Stuart Fails To Save The Universe?

So far, four out of the seven main cast members of The Big Bang Theory have already appeared in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. The only remaining ones who have yet to show up are Leonard, Sheldon, and Howard, and it might not be a coincidence that they also happened to be the brains behind the device at the center of this kerfuffle. Saving their potential involvement for the latter half of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe season 1's run makes a lot of sense, especially if the show finally starts answering all of its mysteries.

Outside the core Pasadena group, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe can also bring back characters from other The Big Bang Theory spinoffs. Since its events barely have any impact on the established canon, timelines don't necessarily work the same way. This means that Sheldon's family from Young Sheldon could appear, including the late George Cooper Sr. It could also go forward in time and introduce the kids of the original The Big Bang Theory cast for a trippier narrative.