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CBS’ The Big Bang Theory is bringing in a new member of the Wolowitz clan.
Victorious alum Matt Bennett has been tapped to guest star on the network’s nerdy comedy, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Bennett will play Josh, Howard Wolowitz’s (Simon Helberg) younger half-brother. The character will show up unexpectedly on Howard’s doorstep in the April 9 episode, titled “The Fortification Implementation.”
See more ‘The Big Bang Theory’s’ Nerdiest Guest Stars
For the time being, the character is scheduled to appear in one episode.
The casting comes as quite a surprise for Big Bang Theory, where Howard has been set up as an only child. While the character’s estranged father has been referenced several times — he left his wife and son when Howard was 11 — the reason has never been explained. Josh will play the son of Howard’s estranged father.
The casting comes as Big Bang Theory this season said farewell to Howard’s mother, Mrs. Wolowitz, following the death of Carol Ann Susi who voiced the always heard but never seen character.
Read more The Story Behind ‘Big Bang Theory’s’ Tribute to Carol Ann Susi
In a February interview with THR, Big Bang Theory showrunner Steve Molaro said the passing of Mrs. Wolowitz left the door open to explore more of Howard’s family.
“It has not happened yet, but it’s absolutely something that we think about,” Molaro said of bringing Howard’s father into the picture. “At some point, I’m interested in looking further into [it]. I don’t think it would even happen this season … [but] it’s hard not to think about: Does he know this even happened? It’s a very legitimate question that I don’t have the answer to yet.”
See more ‘Big Bang Theory’: 15 Things You Didn’t Know
“The ways that we touch on her passing are pretty interesting,” Molaro added. “It’s too soon for me to talk about it, but it can’t help but affect his life in ways that I don’t think he even expects. I find it interesting that the ways it creeps back up and affects him are ways that he wasn’t even thinking about when it happened.”
Bennett’s credits include Victorious, iCarly — after Molaro’s episodes — as well as Sam & Cat. He’s repped by ICM Partners and Principato-Young.
The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on CBS. What do you think of the plot twist? Sound off in the comments section below.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
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