Spinoff ‘Big Bang Theory’ adds Brian Posehn, Lauren Lapkus and Kevin Sussman
Max’s spin-off series ‘Big Bang Theory’ 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 in April 2023. Exact plot details remain under wraps, but all three actors would reprise their roles reinterpret. roles from the original series.
The show remains in development and has not yet been greenlit to series, with Posehn, Sussman and Lapkus currently on talent holding deals. Big Bang Theory co-creator Chuck Lorre is executive producing the new project through Chuck Lorre Productions, with Lorre currently on an overall deal with series studio Warner Bros. Television.
Representatives for WBTV and Max declined to comment.
Sussman played famed comic book store owner Stuart Bloom on “The Big Bang Theory,” starting in the show’s second season and eventually rising to series regular status. He appeared in over 80 episodes in total over the remainder of the show’s run, including the series finale.
Posehn appeared in “The Big Bang Theory” in the role of Bert Kibbler, a geologist at Caltech who is in love with 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, in 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 has been nominated twice for an Emmy for his work as the writer of “Mr. Show.” He has appeared in films such as ‘Knights of Badassdom’, ‘The Devil’s Rejects’ and ‘Run Ronnie Run’, the latter of which he co-wrote. Posehn is also an accomplished stand-up comedian. He has four comedy credits to date albums and has appeared in the documentary ‘The Comedians of Comedy’.
He is repped by UTA, IAM Entertainment and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis.
In addition to “Big Bang Theory,” Lapkus is known for roles in shows like “Orange Is the New Black,” “Crashing,” “Clipped,” “Comedy Bang!” Scared!,” “Animals.” and “Good Girls.” In film, she is known for roles in feature films such as ‘Jurassic World’, ‘Between Two Ferns: The Movie’ and ‘The Wrong Missy’.
She is represented by UTA, Sugar23 and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.
Sussman is also known for his roles in shows such as ABC’s ‘Ugly Betty’, ‘Lessons in Chemistry’, ‘My Name Is Earl’, ‘Weeds’ and ‘Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp’, and for films such as ‘ Wet Hot American Summer’, ‘Sweet Home Alabama’, ‘Hitch’ and ‘Burn After Reading’.
He is represented by CESD Talent Agency and Door 24 Entertainment.
If it continues, this would be the fourth series in the ‘Big Bang Theory’ universe. In addition to the mothership show, which ran for twelve highly rated seasons on CBS, the prequel “Young Sheldon” wrapped up its own seven-season run on the broadcast network in May 2024. A spinoff of that show, “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” starring Montana Jordan and Emily Osment, debuts Oct. 17 on CBS.
