'The Big Bang Theory' Spin-Off Brings Back Original Cast Member

Actor Kunal Nayyar returns as Raj Koothrappali in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, a spin-off of The Big Bang Theory. He is the first member of the original cast to appear in the spin-off.

Warning: Spoilers below about Raj’s appearance in Stuart!

What is the character’s storyline in the new series?

This version of Raj is far removed from the astrophysicist audiences once knew: he lives as a prisoner in a post-apocalyptic Pasadena and is the only person capable of repairing a quantum device that can restore the original timeline. He appears in episode 1, but the character meets a tragic fate: after finally finding happiness and even getting married, his wife is devoured by a giant moth, and he is ultimately shot dead by Kripke.

His appearance doesn’t end there, however. Raj returns in episode 6, becoming the first character from the original cast to appear twice in the series. This time, he shows up in the streets warning the population about the threat of a possible end of civilization. 

New episodes of the first season are released weekly on Thursdays on HBO Max, with the final episode scheduled for September 24.