The Big Bang Theory is getting another spinoff series, this one led by the old gang’s longtime friend Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman), with the potential for many more supporting characters to return. Stuart’s girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus) and the old group’s Caltech colleague Bert (Brian Posehn) are also confirmed to be returning (via tvline.com). While Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) and Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) could also show up, there are even better story possibilities through some underrated side characters.
It is likely that some members of the main Big Bang Theory cast will reprise their roles when they are important fixtures in Stuart’s life and their absence would be felt. However, over the years, Stuart meets many famous and everyday people through his comic book store and his friends’ work, prompting many wacky and meaningful sitcom scenarios. Stuart’s untitled Big Bang Theory spinoff might get the most out of unexpected returns, which could refresh the story.
10 Zack Johnson (Brian Thomas Smith)
Last Seen: Season 12, Episode 15, “The Donation Oscillation”
Penny’s (Kaley Cuoco) ex-boyfriend Zack is an underrated Big Bang Theory supporting character, the punchline of a lot of jokes about his intelligence and Leonard’s insecurity. However, every time he shows up, he is genuinely happy to reconnect with everyone. He originally meets Stuart when the guys bring him to the comic book store and rope him into being their Superman in the annual costume contest (season 4, episode 11, “The Justice League Recombination”).
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Zack can return if he still frequents Stuart’s store, expanding his character beyond being the splatstick “dumb” friend. Following his last appearance in The Big Bang Theory, he and his wife are presumably considering other routes to have children after Leonard decides not to be their donor. However, Zack is generally doing pretty well personally and financially, which could give rise to storylines about what the other characters think they need to be successful.
9 Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar)
Last Seen: Season 12, Episode 24, “The Stockholm Syndrome”
Stuart has the most in common with Raj for most of The Big Bang Theory, as they are both insecure and both lagging behind the rest of the characters when it came to finding a partner. Raj is also the only main Big Bang Theory character who isn’t given a presumed happy ending, making his potential return more interesting. When he travels to Stockholm in the series finale, Raj has just broken up with Anu (Rati Gupta), and luckily finds himself sitting next to Sarah Michelle Gellar at the Nobel Prize ceremony.
Raj’s arc becomes somewhat static in the final seasons of The Big Bang Theory, when it seems like he is always worried about the same things. Stuart similarly refuses to move forward, as he is determined to keep living off his friends’ generosity. While Stuart moves in with Denise at the end of the series, Raj could always be a strong character foil to him, reminding both that they need to take responsibility for their own lives.
8 Wil Wheaton
Last Seen: Season 12, Episode 16, “The D & D Vortex”
Wil Wheaton was a hilarious, frequently seen guest star in The Big Bang Theory, playing himself. Wil can also organically return, as it is established that he is a regular at the comic book store and friends with Stuart, as this is how Sheldon and Leonard initially meet him. Within The Big Bang Theory‘s setting, Wil’s stagnating acting career sees an upturn when he takes on the role of Professor Proton in the revived fictional children’s science show.
With Wil still doing this job and Bert being a series regular, Stuart’s spinoff can still have a little bit of scene that is the basis of the original series. Generally, Wil’s appearances are always hilarious and break the fourth wall; he would only improve this new show. Stuart is also the host of a celebrity D&D game, invitations to which are highly coveted, which can always provide more comedy fodder.
7 Claire (Alessandra Toreson)
Last Seen: Season 10, Episode 14, “The Emotion Detection Automation”
One of The Big Bang Theory‘s weaknesses is that the female characters who show any interest in comic books, or general fantasy or sci-fi, are far and few. Denise was a good addition to the cast in this regard, but Raj’s temporary girlfriend Claire wasn’t completely explored as a character. Notably, Raj meets Claire at the comic book store, and she recruits him as a consultant on a screenplay for a kids’ space movie she is writing (season 9, episode 14, “The Meemaw Materialization”).
From what is seen in the series, Claire has a no-nonsense and witty personality, as well as some common interests, which could make her a great deadpan character to undercut whatever Stuart is up to. It might also be interesting to find out where her career is going, as her aspirations to be a screenwriter are never followed up on. While it would probably lead to some drama with Raj if he were also returning, Claire has the potential to be a fun character in her own right.
6 Alice (Courtney Ford)
Last Seen: Season 5, Episode 7, “The Good Guy Fluctuation”
Alice is also a comic book aficionado who is seen in exactly one episode of The Big Bang Theory, her only narrative role being to instigate Leonard and Priya’s (Aarti Mann) breakup. This brief appearance still makes it clear that Alice is pretty great — sassy, smart, and artistic. If the showrunners were looking for a blank slate of a character to take in any direction, Alice could be that, as well as a crazy callback to an especially funny episode.
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Courtney Ford has also since expanded her portfolio, appearing in True Blood, Revenge, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and Dexter. Her career comprises floating through many guest roles in many different popular series, showing her versatility and potentially bringing various fandoms with her back to The Big Bang Theory. She is always great as the guest star in a sitcom, as she demonstrates in How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory.
5 Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg)
Last Seen: Season 12, Episode 24, “The Stockholm Syndrome”
It would also make a lot of sense for Howard to appear in Stuart’s show. Stuart is essentially Howard and Bernadette’s (Melissa Rauch) nanny while he is living with them; he may have given up that job now that the store is taking up more of his time, but likely still wants to stay connected with the kids. Howard and Bernadette are also the least likely of the original gang to go anywhere, when they are settled with jobs and kids.
However, Howard would probably work best as a guest star who only appears in one or two episodes. Any member of the original cast would draw a lot of attention, Howard especially. Yet he still probably stops by the comic book store on occasion, which could turn into a two-minute Easter Egg or an entire episode of shenanigans.
4 Captain Sweatpants (Ian Scott Rudolph)
Last Seen: Season 7, Episode 13, “The Occupation Recalibration”
“Captain Sweatpants” is seen as one of the main members of Stuart’s friend group, apart from Leonard and Sheldon, early in the series. It is possible that the showrunners will be looking for any old characters with a connection to Stuart that they can bring back, to give him a life outside The Big Bang Theory. However, in the case of Sweatpants, a lot of work needs to be done to make him a good character.
For one thing, his real name is never said; he is only nicknamed so because he always wears gray sweatpants and a superhero T-shirt. For another, the entire gimmick of his character is that everyone else is making fun of him. He could return as a completely different person, but they will need to repurpose Stuart’s old group to be more than bad jokes.
3 Neil Gaiman
Last Seen: Season 11, Episode 21, “The Comet Polarization”
Neil Gaiman’s cameo in one episode of The Big Bang Theory is hilarious, as he comes into the comic book store multiple times and goes completely unnoticed by everyone else. However, he also plays a vital role in Stuart’s life, when his tweet praising the store and Stuart’s expertise turns it from a failing to a thriving business overnight. Oddly, this event is never referenced again outside the episode where it happens, ignoring the fact that Stuart running a struggling store was a recurring beat throughout the entire series up until then.
Gaiman’s brief appearances as himself were well-executed, and it would be fascinating to see him return for an episode, when he inadvertently changed Stuart’s life. He is generally admired by the characters, as he is also the namesake of Howard and Bernadette’s son (along with Armstrong and Diamond). On the other hand, it could also make for a one-off callback or a running gag that Gaiman occasionally shows up at Stuart’s store, but no one ever realizes he is there.
2 Penny (Kaley Cuoco)
Last Seen: Season 12, Episode 24, “The Stockholm Syndrome”
Penny would also be a delightful return from the main cast. Penny’s friendship with Stuart is slightly different from the guys, when they briefly dated in The Big Bang Theory season 2, and she has offered him personal and professional advice multiple times. Despite Penny disparaging comics throughout the series, she has shown interest in the artistic side of it from time to time.
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Penny would probably be the focus of whatever episode she appeared in, showing up to begrudgingly buy a comic for Leonard or something similar. Penny is also presumably a mother at this point, as she and Leonard are expecting at the end of The Big Bang Theory. It has also been theorized that Leonard died sometime after The Big Bang Theory, making Penny’s return for a brief update on her life even more desirable.
1 Leslie Winkle (Sara Gilbert)
Last Seen: Season 9, Episode 17, “The Celebration Experimentation”
Leslie is also an absolute riot during the brief time she is in The Big Bang Theory, as Leonard’s on-and-off fling and Sheldon’s nemesis. Leslie is known for her acerbic wit, easily able to show up any member of the main group. She sadly fades from the series after her relationships with both Leonard and Howard end, making one final appearance at Sheldon’s birthday party.
However, this episode shows her true potential to return, still enjoying making fun of everyone else but doing it with the friendly air of being longtime colleagues. Bert is set up to be a recurring character, meaning that Caltech is still a key setting, where Leslie presumably is still conducting research. Leslie is a dearly missed character from The Big Bang Theory, who now could make a comeback when CBS is finally producing a spinoff show that is not a prequel.
Source: tvline.com
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is a media franchise that has expanded from the original titular TV show that follows a group of friends who live near and with one another as they attempt to bridge social gaps due to their geeky nature and further their scientific pursuits. The show eventually spun off with a TV special and a prequel series, Young Sheldon, which follows the origins of Sheldon Cooper and how he rose to become the brilliant physicist he is.
- Created by
- Chuck Lorre , Bill Prady
- Character(s)
- Leonard Hofstadter , Penny Hofstadter , Howard Wolowitz , Raj Koothrappali , Amy Farrah Fowler , Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz , Stuart Bloom
