I am hopeful that The Big Bang Theory's upcoming Stuart spin-off will do more justice to Leslie Winkle

Back when The Big Bang Theory wrapped up its 12-season run in 2019, it closed the door on one of the biggest sitcoms of the century. But let’s be real, it also left a few things... unfinished. Sure, we got the iconic core group, Sheldon, Leonard, Penny, Howard, and Raj. No arguments there. But if you look a little closer, not everyone in

The Big Bang Theory got the same kind of love. Some characters had so much potential, and yet their stories just... fizzled out. No real closure. No proper send-off. It’s the kind of thing that still bugs a lot of fans to this day.

One of the most glaring examples? Leslie Winkle, played by the ever-brilliant Sara Gilbert. Her character had everything: brains, sharp humor, and the rare ability to leave Sheldon Cooper completely speechless. And yet... she disappeared without much explanation. Now that a new spin-off centered around Stuart Bloom is in the works, fans, including myself, are wondering: could this be the moment The Big Bang Theory finally gives Leslie Winkle the screen time and depth she always deserved?

The Big Bang Theory: a cultural phenomenon with complicated flaws

There’s no denying just how huge The Big Bang Theory was. From day one, the series became more than just a show, it became a cultural phenomenon. The Big Bang Theory followed this group of four ridiculously smart but hilariously awkward scientists, Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, and Raj, trying to figure out life, relationships, and, honestly, how to function like regular humans outside their geeky bubble. Then came Penny, the neighbor who shook things up in the best possible way. She brought this down-to-earth energy that balanced out all the scientific jargon and social weirdness the guys had going on.

It was clever, it was funny, and it was packed with so many pop culture references that it practically became its own language. But here’s the thing, The Big Bang Theory wasn’t perfect. As much as it nailed the nerd humor, it also had some pretty noticeable blind spots... especially when it came to how it portrayed women, particularly in those early seasons.

Sara Gilbert and Leslie Winkle’s roles in The Big Bang Theory

Enter Leslie Winkle. Played by Sara Gilbert (who’s also known for her groundbreaking role on Roseanne), her role in the show was everything the series needed more of. A highly competent experimental physicist, she wasn’t just one of the guys, she was smarter than most of them, delivered snarky one-liners like nobody else, and routinely reduced Sheldon to awkward silence. That alone should’ve earned her permanent status on The Big Bang Theory.

Leslie wasn’t there to soften anyone or play a stereotype. She was direct, sarcastic, independent, and very comfortable with herself, an absolute rarity in a sitcom landscape where quirky female scientists were virtually nonexistent.

How long was Leslie actually around?

Leslie Winkle first showed up in season one of The Big Bang Theory and made recurring appearances through seasons two and three. After that, she pretty much vanished, only popping back briefly in season nine during the 200th episode, The Celebration Experimentation.

Her early episodes teased a romantic entanglement with Leonard and a hilarious rivalry with Sheldon. But beyond a few zingers and short-lived subplots, the writers never gave her a fully fleshed-out arc. One day, she was just... gone.

What Sara Gilbert had to say about it, finally

For years, fans wondered what exactly happened behind the scenes of the show. Why introduce such a compelling character only to abandon her? Well, Sara Gilbert herself finally addressed it during her appearance on The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast.

Here’s what she said, word for word:

“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... there’s no more story there, really... it was a blast, and... I’m always happy to show up.”

That line, the writers hit a wall with the character, says it all. Leslie wasn’t the problem. The problem was that The Big Bang Theory didn’t know what to do with a woman who didn’t fit the usual sitcom formulas. But the way Gilbert talks about it? No bitterness, no resentment. Just honesty, and even a little hope that maybe, someday, there’s more of Leslie’s story left to tell.

Misogyny issues in The Big Bang Theory’s history

This isn’t just about Leslie. It ties into a larger criticism the series has faced for years. Multiple think pieces, including one from Pop Culture Detective, have broken down how the series leaned on casual misogyny, especially in its earlier seasons.

Female characters were often reduced to being love interests, punchlines, or “the normal ones” whose job was to roll their eyes at the boys. Leslie stood out because she didn’t play that game. She was as brilliant (if not more) than the guys and refused to dim her light for anyone. Maybe that’s part of why the series didn’t know how to handle her long-term.

The Big Bang Theory Stuart spin-off: What do we know?

Now, here’s where things get interesting. Warner Bros. Discovery has officially announced a new The Big Bang Theory spin-off, tentatively titled Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. This time, the spotlight is on Stuart Bloom, the beloved but perpetually down-on-his-luck owner of the comic book store.

The show is being developed by the original creators, Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady, and screenwriter Zak Penn. It will premiere on Max, though an exact release date hasn’t been set. What we do know is that the spin-off will feature other recurring characters from the show, including Denise (Stuart’s girlfriend), geologist Bert Kibbler, and speech-impaired Barry Kripke.

And while there’s no official confirmation yet about Leslie Winkle’s return, Sara Gilbert has made it crystal clear, she’s ready and willing to step back into this universe.

Can this spin-off get it right?

Here’s the thing, The Big Bang Theory was a massive ratings hit, pulling in an average of 18.6 million viewers during its final season. It became one of the most-watched shows on television globally, with countless awards and a fanbase that’s still thriving.

But the landscape of TV has changed. Audiences today expect more inclusive storytelling, deeper character development, and fewer outdated gender tropes. A Stuart-centered spin-off has the perfect setup to revisit underappreciated characters like Leslie Winkle, something the show never fully delivered.

The bottom line: a second chance for Leslie Winkle

If there’s one thing fans of The Big Bang Theory can agree on, it’s that Leslie Winkle deserved better. And maybe, just maybe, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will be the place where that finally happens.

Sara Gilbert’s door is wide open. The fans are here for it. And the world could use a little more Leslie Winkle energy, sharp, unapologetic, and smarter than everyone in the room. This spin-off isn’t just an opportunity to expand this universe; it’s a chance to right some of the show’s past wrongs.