The Big Bang Theory star Sara Gilbert says that her character hit a wall, candidly addressing a return to the sitcom franchise. In the wake of Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, the third spinoff in the Big Bang Theory universe is slowly taking space with Stuart 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 at the Max streaming service, but it is not officially greenlit.
In an interview on The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast, via Entertainment Weekly, Gilbert says that she would return as the recurring character of Dr. Leslie Winkle. The actor, who appeared in nine episodes of the original TBBT, acknowledges that the writers hit a wall with Leslie and 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.
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 briefly appearing in the credits, Gilbert was dropped back down to a recurring status and only 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.
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Gilbert’s inclusion in The Big Bang Theory is fun because of her playfully combat dynamic with Sheldon, often calling him a dumbass, and the fact that she has a history of working with Johnny Galecki on Roseanne. 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 the Roseanne spinoff The Conners. She could swing by, at least for an appearance or two, on Stuart’s series. 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 they are several Big Bang Theory guests for the show to choose from.
Source: The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast
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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.
