The “Big Bang Theory” spinoff series in the works at Max has found its first three cast members.
Variety has learned from sources that Brian Posehn, Lauren Lapkus, and Kevin Sussman will all star in the potential show, which was originally announced as being in development at Max back in April 2023. Exact plot details remain under wraps but all three actors would reprise their roles from the original series.
The show remains in development and has not been greenlit to series at this time, with Posehn, Sussman, and Lapkus currently under talent holding deals. “Big Bang Theory” co-creator Chuck Lorre is executive producing the new project via Chuck Lorre Productions, with Lorre currently under an overall deal with series studio Warner Bros. Television.
Sussman famously played comic book store owner Stuart Bloom on “The Big Bang Theory” beginning in the show’s second season, eventually rising to series regular status. He appeared in over 80 episodes total throughout the remainder of the show’s run, including in the series finale.
Posehn appeared in “The Big Bang Theory” in the role of Bert Kibbler, a geologist at Caltech with a crush on Amy (Mayim Bialik). He appeared in 15 episodes of the show starting in Season 6. Lapkus played Denise, the assistant manager of Stuart’s comic book store and Stuart’s eventual love interest, across eight episodes in Seasons 11 and 12.
Posehn’s other TV roles include “Mr. Show with Bob and David,” “Just Shoot Me,” “The Sarah Silverman Program,” and “New Girl.” He is a two-time Emmy nominee for his work on the writing staff of “Mr. Show.” He has appeared in films like “Knights of Badassdom,” “The Devil’s Rejects,” and “Run Ronnie Run,” the last of which he co-wrote. Posehn is also an accomplished stand up comedian, having released four comedy albums to date as well as appearing in the documentary film “The Comedians of Comedy.”
He is repped by UTA, IAM Entertainment, and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis.
Aside from “Big Bang Theory,” Lapkus is known for roles in shows like “Orange Is the New Black,” “Crashing,” “Clipped,” “Comedy Bang! Bang!,” “Animals.,” and “Good Girls.” In film, she is known for roles in features such as “Jurassic World,” “Between Two Ferns: The Movie,” and “The Wrong Missy.”
She is repped by IAG, Sugar23, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.
Sussman is also known for his roles on shows like ABC’s “Ugly Betty” as well as “Lessons in Chemistry,” “My Name Is Earl,” “Weeds,” and “Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp,” and for films like “Wet Hot American Summer,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Hitch,” and “Burn After Reading.”
He is repped by CESD Talent Agency and Door 24 Entertainment.
Should it move forward, this would be the fourth series in the “Big Bang Theory” universe. Aside from the mothership show, which ran for 12 highly-rated seasons on CBS, the prequel “Young Sheldon” wrapped up its own seven-season run at the broadcast network in May 2024. A spinoff of that show, “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” starring Montana Jordan and Emily Osment, will debut on CBS on Oct. 17.
