With the original series wrapped up, The Big Bang Theory franchise has shifted much of its focus to Texas. Young Sheldon explores the early life of the genius navigating a world that often doesn’t understand him. Following that, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage picks up the story of Sheldon’s older brother Georgie and his wife Mandy as they juggle raising a child and financial struggles.
The upcoming spin-off centers on another character facing money troubles—Stuart Bloom. But when Stuart Fails to Save the Universe begins, he’ll have bigger problems to deal with after accidentally breaking a machine built by his old friends, Sheldon and Leonard. Fortunately, Stuart won’t be tackling this alone; his girlfriend Denise, Barry Kripke, and Bert Kibbler will be by his side.
However, there’s one Big Bang Theory character fans expect to see who is noticeably missing from the new show.
Leslie Winkle’s Big Impact on The Big Bang Theory’s First Seasons
In the early seasons of The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon is a theoretical physicist who creates ideas, while Leonard tests them as an experimental physicist. Leonard feels like a middleman to Sheldon but doesn’t challenge him until Leslie Winkle, another experimental physicist, arrives. Leslie stands up to Sheldon and encourages Leonard to do the same. Leonard and Leslie date off and on, but their different relationship goals—Leonard wanting something serious and Leslie preferring casual—keep them apart.
Leslie later dates Howard, who breaks the “bro code” by dating his friend’s ex. When their relationship ends, Leslie slowly fades into the background. She’s a witty character who deserves more screen time, and Stuart Fails to Save the Universe could be the perfect chance to bring her back into the spotlight.
Stuart Fails the Universe Could Definitely Use Leslie Winkle
The cast of the next Big Bang Theory spinoff faces a tough challenge: fixing the multiverse. The only one likely to understand the problem is Barry Kripke, a Caltech physicist—but since he’s not on Sheldon and Leonard’s level, he won’t turn down help. While the original show didn’t focus much on Leslie Winkle’s work, it made clear she’s just as smart as Leonard and can even challenge Sheldon. With that in mind, Stuart and the gang would be wise to call on her.
Stuart certainly remembers Leslie—she appears in the show’s 200th episode at Sheldon’s birthday party, where she takes a playful jab at him to the crowd’s delight. Now, years later, Stuart and Barry are trying to solve a problem Sheldon helped cause. Leaving out someone who’s eager to outshine him just wouldn’t add up.
