Let’s face it, TV spinoffs are a risk. With each hit, there’s a failure that leaves you questioning why it ever made it out of the drawing board (again, sorry, Joey). But occasionally, a spinoff doesn’t merely rise to the level of the original; it blows it away. These are the few, the proud, the shows that emerged from the shadow of their forebears and became legends in their own right. Here are 10 TV spinoffs that didn’t simply track in large footsteps; they outran them.
10. The Good Fight
The Good Wife already knew a thing or two about prestige drama, but The Good Fight took it to overdrive. Headed by the inimitable Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart, the series swapped network restrictions for the freedom of streaming and used that freedom to its maximum potential. Addressing the pandemonium of contemporary politics and social turmoil, it established itself as one of the most bold, cutting-edge dramas of its era. It wasn’t merely good TV, it was necessary TV.
9. Law & Order: SVU
When Law & Order premiered, it established the gold standard for procedurals. But the Special Victims Unit took that template and infused it with a pulse. By concentrating on extremely personal and even painful crimes, SVU transcended being a cop show; it became a cultural reference point. Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson became an icon of compassion and toughness, and even more than two decades later, the show still refuses to lose steam.
8. Angel
When Buffy the Vampire Slayer provided us with snappy teen angst and monster metaphors, Angel plunged into something moodier and darker. Based in Los Angeles, the show traced the dark vampire’s journey towards redemption, providing noir-tinted storytelling and emotional resonance that resonated with viewers. It wasn’t an extension, it was a reimagining of the Buffyverse, and it fluttered proudly on its own wings.
7. The Originals
Whereas The Vampire Diaries was high school drama with fangs, The Originals was an adult struggle for power splashed with blood and betrayal. Focusing on the immortal Mikaelson clan, this spinoff abandoned teenage angst for political maneuvering, eternal vendettas, and supernatural war. Located in New Orleans, it mixed a gothic setting with strong themes of family and loyalty, winning acclaim for its complexity and depth.
6. NCIS
It’s crazy to consider that NCIS was once a humble JAG spin-off. Today, it’s an international TV fixture. With the combination of humor, character-based storytelling, and military suspense, NCIS became a television staple, surpassing the original show JAG by a mile. Not only did it continue a franchise, but it expanded one, leading to numerous successful spin-offs in its own right. Full circle, indeed.
5. Star Trek: The Next Generation
The classic Star Trek revolutionized television, but The Next Generation brought the franchise into orbit. With Patrick Stewart as the authoritative (and authoritative-toned) Captain Picard, the show produced wiser storytelling, more textured characters, and improved special effects. It raised the science fiction genre to the level of philosophy, discussing moral complexities and humanity at warp speed. To many, TNG is Star Trek.
4. Frasier
It’s difficult to envision a Cheers spinoff surpassing the bar where everyone knows your name, but Frasier accomplished it with sophistication and humor. Transplanting the self-absorbed but endearing Dr. Frasier Crane to Seattle, the show traded beer for sherry and dispensed 11 seasons of smart-alecky humor and poignant moments. With Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce’s unparalleled comedic chemistry, Frasier became a sitcom-writing masterclass and a cultural touchstone.
3. Xena: Warrior Princess
Born out of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena was soon demonstrating she didn’t require another’s myth to tell her story. Lucy Lawless’s intense performance made the warrior princess a feminist legend, combining sword-swinging action with wit and emotion. Xena: Warrior Princess was one of television’s most popular cult hits, generating a devoted following that continues to thrive decades later.
2. Better Call Saul
The heir to Breaking Bad was an impossible job, until Better Call Saul made it seem effortless. Bob Odenkirk’s metamorphosis from Jimmy McGill to Saul Goodman was nothing less than stunning, supported by scriptwriting so diligent and emotionally shattering that it matched (and occasionally topped) its parent show. By the finale, it wasn’t merely a fantastic spinoff; it was one of the all-time greatest TV dramas created.
1. The Simpsons
It’s hard to believe that The Simpsons started as shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show. Over 30 years later, it remains the longest-running American sitcom and one of the most powerful programs in television history. From scathing social commentary to catchphrases that are still stuck in our heads, The Simpsons altered the face of television. The Springfield family didn’t just surpass their humble beginnings; they revolutionized pop culture for good.
So next time someone says spinoffs never work, hand them this list. Because sometimes, lightning doesn’t just strike twice; it hits even harder the second time.