Posted in: HBO, Max, TV | Tagged: stuart fails to save the universe, The Big Bang Theory

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe: Mayim Bialik on Amy Return & More

Mayim Bialik on her return as an alt-universe version of The Big Bang Theory's Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.

Mayim Bialik was the latest The Big Bang Theory major cast member to return for the HBO Max sci-fi spinoff series Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. As per the format of the show, the primary cast members who returned include Kumal Nayyar (Raj), Kaley Cuoco (Penny), and Melissa Rauch (Bernadette), playing alternate versions of themselves. Raj is a shell of his former self in the apocalypse, Penny is a resistance leader fighting back against robotic overlords, and Bernadette is a demon who grew to the size of a tall building thanks to a concoction. Bialik is actually staying close to Amy Farrah Fowler's nature as a neuroscientist in an asylum, inspired by One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) in the episode "Spoiler: Stuart Makes a Wallet," rehabilitating the titular character, Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman), forced into a programmed suburban life where he meets his interdimensional compatriots. The actress spoke to PEOPLE about reconnecting with her former supporting castmates, which also includes Lauren Lapkus (Denise), Brian Posehn (Bert), and John Ross Bowie (Kripke), now front and center, and TBBT co-stars she's still close to.

Mayim Bialik on Making Her 'The Big Bang Theory' Return as Amy Farrah Fowler in 'Stuart Fails to Save the Universe'

Of the current cast of the Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady-created series, "I guess I'm closest with John Ross Bowie," Bialik said, adding her admiration for Sussman, playing the comic book store owner-turned reluctant hero, "I have such respect for Kevin Sussman and the work that we got to do together and just watching how he takes direction and how he so effortlessly has stepped into the role of leading man."

Bialik's ties go beyond the series: "I worked with Lauren, and Brian's been on our podcast (Mayim Bialik's 'Breakdown'), so I have other connections," she said. "But in terms of the emotional connection, I like being able to reach out to John and to Kevin and to be able to say, 'I do not have any memory in my career of being this excited for another actor.'" Before Stuart, the actress last reprised her role in the Young Sheldon finale opposite Jim Parsons in a TBBT reveal that shows a bit of an epilogue to the Lorre and Prady-created series that sees Sheldon and Amy now parents on their way to meet with Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny's for both parents' children to play.

"I would've been happy to come back as any iteration of anything," Bialik said. "Just to get to be part of the Chuck Lorre universe and also to do this with Kevin and John and with Lauren and Brian, so I would've been happy literally to do anything." The actress is still "very close" to Rauch. "She and I talked the most about scheduling and things like that." Despite not sharing scenes as their respective characters were featured in separate episodes, "We were actually able to physically connect on set, me and Melissa," she explained. "I can't remember if she was there for a wardrobe fitting and it was my filming day. I don't remember, but that was really, really special." For more, you can check out the rest of interview.

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