Kunal Nayyar made a startling return to the Big Bang Theory universe on Thursday, appearing almost unrecognisable as a bearded, imprisoned Raj Koothrappali in HBO Max's new spinoff, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.
TL;DR
- Nayyar reprises Raj Koothrappali in the new spinoff, which premiered on HBO Max on Thursday, 23 July.
- Raj appears with a long beard, imprisoned by an alternate-universe Barry Kripke.
- Kripke shoots Raj before the episode ends, though producers hint the character survives elsewhere in the multiverse.
- UK viewers can stream the show through HBO Max, now bundled with Sky and NOW.
The cameo continues a franchise habit of surprise reunions, as co-creators Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady and Zak Penn steer the fourth Big Bang Theory spin-off into an unpredictable, multiverse-spanning story.
Who is Raj in the new Big Bang Theory spinoff?
Actor Kunal Nayyar played astrophysicist Rajesh Koothrappali across all 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory, from the sitcom's 2007 premiere to its 2019 finale. Nayyar, who was born in Hammersmith, London, before his family relocated to New Delhi, has now brought the character back for the franchise's newest chapter.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe follows comic-book-store owner Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman) as he tries to repair a reality-shattering device built by Sheldon and Leonard in the original series. The multiverse comedy premiered on HBO Max on Thursday, 23 July, and also reunites supporting Big Bang Theory players Bert Kibbler (Brian Posehn) and Denise (Lauren Lapkus).
Why does Raj look so different this time?
In the spinoff, Raj is barely recognisable. He has grown an exceptionally long beard and is imprisoned at Caltech by an alternate-universe version of Barry Kripke, played by actor John Ross Bowie.
Co-creator Chuck Lorre kept the reasoning behind the twist simple. "It just seemed funny," Lorre said, according to a report by Mandatory. Co-creator Bill Prady said the writers needed a character capable of solving the equation at the heart of the plot, only to have him killed moments before finishing the job.
What happens to Raj in episode one?
12 minutes into the premiere, Stuart, Denise and Bert are reunited with Raj, who has spent years imprisoned while trying to work out how to repair the device. Just as Raj appears to have solved it, Kripke shoots him.
Bowie said filming the scene "didn't feel great, I won't lie to you," in comments to Deadline. He added that a later episode suggests the death may not be final, since the multiverse could hold infinite versions of Raj.
How UK fans can watch Stuart Fails to Save the Universe
British viewers receive new episodes a day after American audiences, with the series landing on Fridays outside the US rather than Thursdays.
The show streams via HBO Max, which launched in the UK on 26 March 2026 and is now folded into Sky, NOW and EE TV packages, with plans starting at £4.99 a month, according to Ground News.
£4.99 — cheapest monthly HBO Max UK plan Source: Ground News
12 — seasons The Big Bang Theory ran on CBS (2007–2019) Source: Wikipedia
Reported from publicly available interviews and verified press sources. Last reviewed 24 July 2026.
