Barry Kripke Kills Raj in HBO Max Spinoff Premiere, Setting Up 10-Episode Arc

Q: After Raj's shocking death, which Big Bang Theory character will the multiverse spin-off bring back—and potentially kill off—next?

There is no confirmed answer yet. Based on the reporting around *Stuart Fails to Save the Universe*, Raj was brought back because the plot specifically needed “somebody who had the answer” and could then be killed before using it. The creators have not publicly identified the next returning *Big Bang Theory* character slated for that kind of role. What is clear is that more legacy cameos are coming. Reviews and production coverage say multiple former *Big Bang Theory* actors appear as alternate-universe versions of their characters, but most identities are being kept secret to preserve surprises. The show’s multiverse format also makes death less final than it appears, since alternate versions can keep reappearing. The only returning characters firmly established in the series setup are Stuart, Denise, Bert and Barry Kripke, with Sheldon, Leonard and Howard referenced through the device but not confirmed on screen in the material provided. So while another familiar face may well return and die in similarly dark-comic fashion, there is no verified reporting yet on who that will be. In short, the next character is unknown; HBO Max and the creators are deliberately keeping those reveals under wraps.

2 articles · Updated · Deadline · Jul 24

Raj is shot dead in the back by Barry Kripke during the premiere of "Stuart Fails To Save the Universe" just as he is about to repair the quantum interference device.
Kripke kills him to protect his rule as the Great Khalif of South Pasadena and stop Stuart’s group from reversing the multiverse apocalypse triggered by the broken machine.
Creators Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady and Zak Penn said the death is limited to one universe, letting the show use shock value while still bringing back Raj and other original "Big Bang Theory" characters.
At Comic-Con, John Ross Bowie said Kripke becomes the spinoff’s in-house villain but still gets immediate comeuppance and a redemption arc over the season’s 10 episodes.