The Big Bang Theory Star Kunal Nayyar Addresses New Spinoff, Potential Return as Raj
The Big Bang Theory franchise continues growing, but Kunal Nayyar might not reprise his role as Raj anytime soon.
In a new interview with TV Line, The Big Bang Theory series star Kunal Nayyar addressed the upcoming spinoff and whether he will reprise his role soon. Nayyar played Raj in the original show’s twelve seasons. However, Nayyar is in no rush to reprise his character any time soon, despite him being the only character who wasn’t paired off in The Big Bang Theory’s series finale, saying that it’s “too soon.”
Sheldon Cooper in front of the Young Sheldon logo and the Cooper family
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“To be honest, it feels a little too soon,” Nayyar says. The actor also added that he feels like The Big Bang Theory hasn’t been off the air long enough to merit any sort of revival. “Can you do a [revival] only four years after your show ends? That’s not a reunion show; that’s just another season.” However, he doesn’t rule the possibility out. “If [the spinoff] were to happen, we’ll see what the universe says,” he answers.
As for the new Big Bang Theory spinoff, Nayyar doesn’t have much to tell. “To be honest, I have not heard anything about this other than what the media has spun out,” the actor revealed. “I’m not entirely sure what it’s about.”
Kunal Nayyar recently reunited with co-star Melissa Rauch, who played Bernadette in The Big Bang Theory alongside Nayyar as Raj. Nayyar was a guest star on the Night Court, which stars Raunch. As for his future plans, he will star in Netflix’s sci-fi film Spaceman, which stars Adam Sandler and Carey Mulligan, as well as the romantic comedy How to Date Billy Walsh.
Melissa Rauch as Judge Abby Stone in Night Court in 2023
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The Big Bang Theory Universe Keeps Expanding
Although Young Sheldon will end with the upcoming Season 7, there are more plans to expand the Big Bang universe. CBS is planning another Young Sheldon spinoff that would be set in the world of The Big Bang Theory. The spinoff will follow Sheldon’s brother Georgie Cooper (Montana Jordan) and his fiancé Mandy McAllister (Emily Osment). Steve Holland, Steve Molaro, and Chuck Lorre, who are executive producers on Young Sheldon, will team up again for the with plans to co-write the pilot episode. The spinoff is slated for the 2024-2025 season.
However, the Young Sheldon spinoff isn’t the only series meant to premiere in The Big Bang Theory universe. The series’ creator Chuck Lorre teamed up with Warner Bros. Television and Max for another Big Bang Theory spinoff, which is the one Nayyar was referring to. So far, there have been no official plot details revealed, and no confirmation about which characters from the original series it will follow.
Until more details about the spinoffs come out, the final season of Young Sheldon will premiere on CBS on Feb. 15, 2024.