Spinoffsare often a gamble because, regardless of the popularity of their mother series, they cannot forever depend on the source to work. Furthermore, they also have to pay tribute to their predecessor while carving out a life on their own. In short, to produce a spinoff requires a leap of faith. Fortunately, a lot ofsuccessful TV showspinoffs end up making it. And some of these do not simply survive, but they thrive, building their own legacy.
In some cases,a few standout follow-ups gained such immense popularity that they overshadowed the original showsthey were based on. By expanding beloved universes or focusing on breakout characters, they find a way to connect with the viewers in a more impactful way. Even if it is not a common occurrence, by becoming bigger than their original show, somegreat spinoff seriesprove that sometimes building on the familiar while simultaneously stepping away from it is a gamble worth taking.
Law and Order: SVU
Cast
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU) is a procedural crime drama series created by Dick Wolf that follows cases handled by a fictional New York Police Department’s 16th precinct that centers around sexually-based crimes. The Show follows a rotating group of detectives that will tackle some of the most heinous crimes while trying to help the victims - and themselves - adjust to the new normal as the darkness in the world reveals itself with each new case.
It would be hard to name a more iconic detective duo thanBenson and Stabler from the TV show spinoffLaw and Order: Special Victims Units. And, when faced with Stabler’s absence for a few seasons,Olivia Benson, played by Mariska Hargitay, carried the show flawlessly, evolving into one of television’s most compelling and empathetic protagonists, capable of handling the delicate and upsetting nature of the cases explored.
Through itswell-written protagonists and in-depth portrayals,SVUhas been able to depict the most heinous crimes, like sexual violence and child abuse, in a socially aware and educational manner. Although the original show,Law and Order,was also groundbreaking, revolutionizing the crime procedural genre, its spinoff brought the series to new heights by covering more disturbing, occasionally controversial, themes and courageously tackling taboo topics.
SVUtook on its predecessor’s spot as the longest-running live-action scripted American primetime television series.
Mariska Hargitay was the first actress in theLaw and Orderfranchise to win an Emmy for her performance.SVUtook on its predecessor’s spot as the longest-running live-action scripted American primetime television series. The show continues relentlessly, committed to exploring delicate yet relevant matters and deepening its cultural impact.
Happy Days
Happy Days is a television series set in the 1950s and 1960s, exploring the lives of the Cunningham family and their friends in Milwaukee. Starring Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham and Henry Winkler as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli, the show captures the essence of mid-20th century American life. Premiering in 1974, it enjoys iconic status for its nostalgic portrayal of teenage life and family dynamics.
Few spinoffs have achieved the monumental success ofHappy Days,the 1970s sitcom set in the nostalgic 50s and born as a segment of the anthology seriesLove, American Style. Nowadays, most people are more likely to knowHappy Daysthan its predecessor. After all,Winkler’s Fonzie became the face of the TV show spinoff, stealing the spotlight with his charisma and iconic catchphrases and growing to be one of the most legendary characters on the small screen.
10 TV Mysteries That Were Only Explained By Spinoffs
Some TV shows post important questions that aren’t answered until a spinoff show comes, sometimes years after the original show ends.
WhileLove, American Styleran for five seasons,Happy Dayswent on for more than ten, becoming a cultural cornerstone of American television andthe most-watched program between 1976 and 1977. The show did not just entertain but defined an era, influencing not only TV but also fashion trends, cultural discussions, and music tastes, becoming a classic and building a legacy that still stands today.
The Flash
The Flash follows CSI investigator Barry Allen, who wakes from a coma with super speed after a lightning strike. Collaborating with S.T.A.R. Labs, he adopts the identity of The Flash to safeguard his city, marking his journey as the Fastest Man Alive in this superhero tale.
Based on the beloved Barry Allen stories from DC Comics,The Flashdebuted in 2014 asa spinoff of another DC live-action show,Arrow. The series started with a backdoor pilot, introduced duringArrow.Grant Gustin’s performance immediately convinced the executives to greenlight the project. His portrayal of Barry Allen as a forensic chemist who gained super-human abilities stole the heart of the showrunners and audience.
The show quickly earned commercial success and universal acclaimand continues today to be a fan favorite, even overcoming the popularity of its predecessor. In 2023, Netflix proved the belovedArrow spinoff was still bigger than the original show, claiming it was the Arrowverse series with major viewership on the platform. While not always a faithful representation of the characters and storylines based on the original comic books,The Flashmade the scarlet speedster work on the small screen.
Family Matters
Family Matters is a classic sitcom that follows the Winslow family, a middle-class family living in Chicago that engages in several misadventures while sharing heartfelt experiences with one another. The show tackles several major real-world issues while keeping the core of the show light at heart, and also featured the breakout role of Jaleel White as the super nerd Steve Urkel.
One of the most famous spinoffs on television,Family Matters,originated from the late 1980s sitcomPerfect Strangers.With its breakout character, Steve Urkel, the nerdy and clever kid whose quirky charm ends up stealing the spotlight,the show became one of the most famous sitcoms of the 1990s.Family Matterscontinued to air for nine seasons, one more than the original series.
The show surpassedPerfect Strangersin popularity and success, and became one of the most beloved family sitcoms of its time, to the point that some people did not even know that it started as a spinoff. Steve Urkel still stands nowadays as a pop culture icon. The heartfelt themes explored, centered on family dynamics and personal growth, coupled with the prevalently clever humor, deeply resonated with viewers, makingFamily Mattersa cherished classic.
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an animated series set in the fictional town of Springfield, following the daily lives of the Simpson family—Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Premiering in 1989, the show is renowned for its satirical commentary on politics, media, and American culture, featuring numerous celebrity guest appearances.
Given the immense popularity of the show, it might come as a shock to find out thatThe Simpsonsstarted as a short segment onThe Tracey Ullman Showin 1989. Thirty-five years and thirty-six seasons later,The Simpsonsis now the longest-running American TV show of all time.
With its universal critical acclaim, commercial success, and a billion-dollar merchandising industry, Homer’s family became pop culture icons.
The Tracey Ullman Show,on the other hand, ended only after four seasons, and its impact never reached the cultural significance that its brilliant follow-up sitcom would go on to achieve. With its universal critical acclaim, commercial success, and a billion-dollar merchandising industry, Homer’s family became pop culture icons.
The satirical take on American society and the sharp humor that characterizes the storylines and the sometimes ridiculous characters created a product that is both relatable and entertaining while offering thoughtful social commentary. The brilliance ofThe Simpsons' best episodesmade the show bigger than any other series, not onlyThe Tracey Ullman Show.
Frasier
Fraiser is a comedy-drama sitcom that stars Kelsey Grammer as a psychiatrist who takes up the role of a radio show host in Seattle after his life in Boston is upheaved. A spin-off of the series Cheers, Fraiser follows the titular character adjusting to the single life while caring for his father (a retired police officer,) his brother, and other eccentric co-workers.
A TV show based on the beloved sitcomCheers,Frasieris one of the most successful and critically acclaimed television spinoffs in history. The series revolves around one of its predecessor’sbreakout characters, psychiatrist Frasier Crane, as he returns to his hometown, Seattle.
Undoubtedly, Kelsey Grammer’s witty and nuanced portrayal of Frasier, which had already conquered the fans inCheers, contributed to the success of the show.Given his previous popularity, the fans were eager to learn more about the slightly neurotic doctor.
Frasierhas a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
WhileCheerswas a beloved series,Frasierbecame a hit in its own right, running for eleven seasons and winning numerous accolades. The sharp dialogue and sophisticated humor made it a standout product that is still considered one of the best sitcoms of all time. The cultural relevance ofFrasieris also proved by the fact that it had a revival that its original show never received.
NCIS
NCIS is a television series that follows a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Premiering in 2003, the show explores various cases involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines.
NCISis, without a doubt, one of the most popular police crime dramas on television. The story focuses on a group of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. With twenty-two seasons and still ongoing, the show built a franchise with numerous follow-ups and related works.
In 2022, it was the third longest-running live-action scripted American primetime television series. Given its fame, some fans mightnot remember NCIS started as a TV show spinoffof legal dramaJAG.WhileJAGmainly explored military legal cases,NCISshifted the focus to investigations, crafting a more dynamic and engaging narrative with compelling characters and thrilling storylines.
Most of the spinoff’s original team members, who initially appeared in a backdoor pilot duringJAG’sseason eight, conquered the audience with their humor and undeniable chemistry. The original show ran for nine seasons, whileNCISwent on to build its legacy in the crime genre.
Xena: Warrior Princess
Staring Lucy Lawless and Renne O’Connor, Xena: Warrior Princess follows the titular heroine, a formidable female warrior from Ancient Greece who uses her powers to help protect and defend the innocent. Xena is accompanied by her sidekick, Gabrielle, on all of her missions. The series ran from 1995 to 2001, and maintains cult classic status and a devoted fanbase to this day.
One of the most epic shows in television history,Xena: Warrior Princess,originated from the Greek mythology-inspired fantasy seriesHercules: The Legendary Journeys. Xena, a legendary warrior portrayed by Lucy Lawless, initially appeared as a villain before ending up joining forces with Hercules.
The character was still supposed to die in her third appearance, but her popularity among the fans not only granted her survival but also earned her show, and the rest is history.Xenaovershadowed its already beloved predecessor, gaining a higher viewershipand leaving a meaningful cultural impact.
Its main character, a complex and courageous warrior on the path of redemption, and her relationship with Gabrielle, a farm girl who, as the story progresses, grows to become an Amazon warrior, made the spinofffantasy TV show ahead of its time, helping redefine the portrayal of women.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation follows Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise NCC-1701D as they embark on interstellar explorations, seeking out new worlds and civilizations.
Often regarded as one of the best sci-fi TV shows of all time,Star Trek: The Next Generationowes its existence to the groundbreakingStar Trek: The original show.If the first series became a cornerstone of pop culture, with its brilliant and innovative premises,The Next Generationwent a step further and elevated the franchise to new heights, capturing a fresh audience in the late 1980s.
While the 1960s sci-fi story laid the ground for one of the biggest franchises in the history of TV and cinema,TNGexpanded and enriched the universe, exploring new, complex storylines and moral dilemmas while using more advanced technology and special effects.
10 TV Spinoffs That Are As Good As Their Original Shows
Some great TV shows can capture lightning in a bottle on multiple occasions, as a few rare spinoffs find the success of the original series.
Star Trek: The original showlasted for three seasons, whereasTNGwent on for seven. Its finale, in 1994, was watched by more than 30 million viewers. But the show did not end there, and the cast members returned for further movies.Star Trek’s TNGspinoffwent on to build a bigger legacy than its original show.
The Andy Griffith Show
The Andy Griffith Show is a classic American sitcom that premiered on CBS in 1960. Set in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, it stars Andy Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor, whose life is humorously complicated by his deputy Barney Fife, Aunt Bee, and his young son Opie.
The Andy Griffith Showis a 1960s sitcom that starred the renowned comedian and actor Andy Griffith as Andy Taylor, a widowed sheriff from North Carolina. The show was a spinoff ofThe Danny Thomas Show.Introduced as a test in an episode of the original series, the character of Andy became immediately popular. The spinoff had the opportunity to explore Griffith’s character, his young son Opie (portrayed by Ron Howard), and their small-town life.
For the eight seasons it ran, the show was a top-ten hit and earned a lasting legacy as a heartfelt and beloved depiction of small-town life on the small screen.
WhileThe Danny Thomas Showwas undoubtedly successful,The Andy Griffith Showbecame a major hit, eclipsing its predecessor and becoming a cultural phenomenon. For the eight seasons it ran, the show was a top-ten hit and earned a lasting legacy as a heartfelt and beloved depiction of small-town life on the small screen. The timeless humor of the show continues to resonate with audiences through reruns.
