A fourth fan-favorite character from The Big Bang Theory has been confirmed to return in the upcoming spinoff series. John Ross Bowie is set to reprise his role from the original CBS sitcom as plasma physicist Barry Kripke.
Deadline was the first to report on Bowie's casting. He joins a cast that currently includes fellow Big Bang Theory alums Kevin Sussman (Stuart Bloom), Brian Posehn (Bert Kibbler), and Lauren Lapkus (Denise). Franchise creator Chuck Lorre is developing the offshoot with Warner Bros. Television for the Max streaming service. Since the project is still in development and has not been officially greenlighted, all four actors have signed a WBTV talent holding deal with the purpose of starring in the proposed offshoot.
Bowie made his Big Bang Theory debut as Barry Kripke in the Season 2 episode "The Killer Robot Instability" and subsequently appeared at least once a season for the remainder of the series, with his final appearance being in the penultimate episode, "The Change Constant." A colleague of Sheldon and Leonard at Caltech, Kripke often appears in episodes that see him clashing with the former. The character is notable for having a case of rhotacism in which he pronounces the letters "R" and "L" as "W". Bowie confirmed his casting in the spinoff on Instagram, channeling Kripke in the caption of the post: "Exciting news from @deadline… pardon me.. deadwine."
What Is The Big Bang Theory Spinoff About?
If the untitled spinoff gets ordered to series, it will mark the third expansion in The Big Bang Theory franchise, after Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, and the first set in the present day. The spinoff was first announced in April 2023 by Warner Bros. Discovery. While plot details are being kept under wraps, some fans have speculated that the series may be set at Stuart's comic book store, given the involvement of Sussman and Lapkus, whose characters both worked there.
None of the main cast members from The Big Bang Theory are expected to star in the new series, although guest appearances haven't been ruled out just yet. Kaley Cuoco, who played Penny, shared in October 2024 that she would "absolutely reprise that role" in the new spinoff. Mayim Bialik echoed her co-star's reprisal statement in January 2025, stating that she would "100% reprise Amy [Farrah Fowler]."
However, one actor who may need some convincing to return is Kunal Nayar, who was one of the five original main cast members of The Big Bang Theory. Back in February 2024, Nayar stated that he felt "a little too soon" to be reprising the role of Raj Koothrappali. "Can you do a [revival] only four years after your show ends? That's not a reunion show, that's just another season," he remarked. However, the actor did not rule out reprising the role. "If [the spinoff] were to happen, we'll see what the universe says," he added.
All 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory are currently streaming on Max.
Source: Deadline
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