In keeping with the scientific concept that is its namesake, the universe of The Big Bang Theory keeps expanding.

HBO Max has formally greenlit Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, a comedy that will center on comic book shop owner Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman), who had a heavily recurring role on the original CBS series. The show comes from Big Bang Theory co-creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady and Zak Penn (Free Guy, Beacon 23) — and unlike the original series and its other spinoffs, Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, it will feature a heavy dose of sci-fi alongside its comedy.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is the first series pickup for the newly re-renamed HBO Max, whose changeover from Max went live on Wednesday.

“We’re excited to be continuing the legacy of The Big Bang Theory,” said Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content. “Much like the original series, this new chapter wouldn’t be possible without the vision and storytelling brilliance of Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, as well as Zak Penn, who has brought fresh insight and a distinctive voice to an already exceptional creative team.”

Said Lorre, “I wanted to do something radical that would take me out of my comfort zone. Something the characters on The Big Bang Theory would have loved, hated, and argued about.” 

Lauren Lapkus, Brian Posehn and John Ross Bowie — all of whom recurred on Big Bang — will also star in the series, which has been in the works for two years. The show’s description reads, “Stuart Bloom is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon. Stuart is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise (Lapkus), geologist friend Bert (Posehn), and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke (Bowie). Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from The Big Bang Theory. As the title implies, things don’t go well.”

“The process of writing this show with Chuck and Zak has been damn fun, and I’m certain that joy will come through the screen,” said Prady. “Putting characters we loved from The Big Bang Theory into a complex science fiction story with the kind of mythology that those characters love while maintaining the comedic elements is incredibly satisfying.”

Added Penn, “I was on a vision quest in the most remote parts of the Amazon rainforest when a carrier pigeon arrived with a note from Chuck Lorre asking if I wanted to help make a show that the characters from Big Bang Theory would watch. I couldn’t resist that idea, so I packed up my yurt and hailed the next dirigible out. At the same time, Chuck sent an expedition to locate Bill Prady, who had been frozen with his shield across his chest in a block of arctic ice. The team assembled, we set out to make this insane show, which lives in a universe created by Chuck and Bill. I couldn’t be more honored to be working with these amazing people.”

Lorre, Prady and Penn executive produce Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. Lorre’s eponymous production company produces in association with Warner Bros. TV, his long-time studio home.

“Chuck and Bill have given us one of the most enduring comedies of our time with The Big Bang Theory, and we can’t wait to see the universe continue with this new series,” said Channing Dungey, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group and WBD U.S. Networks. “With the help of Zak — a masterful storyteller — this next iteration promises to capture the essence of what fans loved about the original series, but with a completely fresh twist. We thank our partners HBO Max for joining us on this next adventure.”