The Big Bang Theorystar Sara Gilbert says that her character hit a wall, candidly addressing a return to the sitcom franchise. In the wake ofYoung SheldonandGeorgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, the third spinoff in theBig Bang Theoryuniverse is slowly taking space with theupcomingStuart Fails to Save the Universe. Kevin Sussman will reprise his role as the titular Stuart Bloom. The series will also feature Lauren Lapkus and Brian Posehn, coming back as Denise and Bert, respectively.The spinoff is in development on the Max streaming service, but it is not officially greenlit.
In an interview onThe Official Big Bang TheoryPodcast, viaEntertainment Weekly, Gilbert says thatshe would return as the recurring character of Dr. Leslie Winkle. The actor, who appeared in nine episodes of the originalTBBT, acknowledges thatthe writers hit a wall with Leslieand might have run through the dynamics that the Wilkins had to offer quickly. Still, in the quote below,Gilbert says that she is “always happy to show up”:
Yeah, I would do more. I would have done more at the time. I think the writers kind of hit a wall with the character, probably also because she leaves these dynamics quickly, you know, then kind of like, well, what do you do now? She’s wired like that, and she left, and then there’s no more story there, really. But yeah it was a blast, and I like to work, so I’m always happy to show up.
What Gilbert’s Comments Mean For The Next TBBT Spinoff
Familiar Faces Will Appear
The assessment that the writers never quite knew with Winkle could be seen in the character’s shifting status in the early seasons. Although briefly listed as a main cast member and even appearing in the credits, Gilbert was dropped back down to a recurring status andonly appeared in nine episodes overall. Her last appearance is more of a cameo in season 9 for the show’s 200th episode as part of Sheldon’s birthday party.
Gilbert’s inclusion inThe Big Bang Theoryis fun because of herplayfully combat dynamic with Sheldon, often insulting the genius, and the fact that she has a history of working with Johnny Galecki onRoseanne. Perhaps because the writers could never fully find room for Wilkins, the romance with Galecki’s Leonard went nowhere. But the Stuart spinoff will likely lean on familiar faces as a way to draw viewers in, and the franchise has a lot to choose from.
Our Take On Leslie Winkle’s Potential Return
It’d Be A Fresh Try
Gilbert is wrapping up a long run on theRoseannespinoffThe Conners. She could swing by, at least for an appearance or two, on Stuart’sseries. It’d be a different dynamic to test Winkle in, testing whether she may be a better fit with a group. But if not her, then there are severalBig Bang Theoryguestsfor the show to choose from to make the new series feel like part of the overall TV universe.
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is a media franchise that has expanded from the original titular TV show that follows a group of friends who live near and with one another as they attempt to bridge social gaps due to their geeky nature and further their scientific pursuits. The show eventually spun off with a TV special and a prequel series, Young Sheldon, which follows the origins of Sheldon Cooper and how he rose to become the brilliant physicist he is.
