29 TV Spin-Offs That Were As Good Or Better Than The Show They Came From

CinemaBlend

29 TV Spin-Offs That Were As Good Or Better Than The Show They Came From

Jason Wiese

Posted: 18 April 2024 | Last updated: 18 April 2024

<p> When it comes to TV shows that have run for decades, I'm sure some big ones come to mind. You could bring up several police procedurals or law shows, like <em>NCIS </em>or <em>Law & Order, </em>or you could think of shows like <em>Doctor Who, </em>which has different iterations. But for me, the first thing that pops up is <em>The Simpsons, </em>and I’m glad we grew up watching it. </p> <p> The iconic animated family sitcom changed the world of television when it first aired in 1989, and through more than thirty seasons, characters have come and gone – some of which have grown in popularity. And there are <em>Simpsons </em>characters you might not have realized weren't even in the first season. Let's talk about some of the most popular and when they first appeared. </p>

Fox

Spin to win.

The results of turning a hit TV series into a franchise can be hit-or-miss, to say the least. However, for every ill-received or mostly forgotten TV spin-off, there are many that managed to reach, or even exceed, the success of their predecessors. Take a look at some of our favorite examples.

<p> After he left the bar in Boston where everybody knew his name, Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) made his way to another metropolis on the other side of the country: Seattle. Over the course of <em>Frasier</em>'s run, the city's iconography was well utilized, with the titular character even having a prime view of the Space Needle. Interestingly enough, the setting switched back to Bean Town in Paramount+'s revival. </p>

Paramount

Frasier (Cheers)

Despite being added later in the series, Frasier Crane was one of the most beloved Cheers characters and right after it ended in 1993, Kelsey Grammer led the Frasier cast in his psychiatrist’s role’s self-titled spin-off. Like its parent series, it also lasted 11 seasons, won multiple Emmy Awards, and became one of the most acclaimed sitcoms of its time before being revived on Paramount+ in 2023.

<p> One of TV’s most memorable neighbors, Jaleel White’s Steve Urkel was so popular early in <em>Family Matter</em>s’ run that the creative focus changed to devote more stories and screentime to the bespectacled nerdling and alter egos like the smooth-talking Stefan, Urkelbot, and Bruce Lee Urkel. Not to mention the fact that Steve Urkel sparked the ubiquitous and oft-impersonated pop culture catchphrase “Did I do that?” “Got any cheese?” didn't quite get there. </p>

Max

Family Matters (Perfect Strangers)

Jo Marie Payton was on two seasons of Perfect Strangers as elevator operator Harriette Winslow before starring in the Family Matters cast in the same role for nine seasons. What initially began as a conventional family sitcom when it premiered in 1989 became a wildly successful cultural phenomenon with the addition of Jaleel White as Steve Urkel.

<p> The popularity of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was so high that after three a seasons a spinoff was produced starring David Boreanaz's Angel. These two shows embraced serialized storytelling long before the MCU would make it commonplace. But Season 4 of <em>Angel</em> is my least favorite, despite some exciting <em>Buffy</em> crossovers. Cordelia Chase ends up possessed for a good chunk of episodes, which was a story that got old. And the writing around Angel's son Connor was downright abysmal, as he remains one of the most hated TV characters of all time. </p>

Warner Bros.

Angel (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

David Boreanaz stole the show from Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a good-natured bloodsucker named Angel and, eventually, earned his own series set in the same creature-infested universe. From 1999 until its 2004 cancellation, Angel followed the Boreanaz’s title character and other Buffy vets helping Los Angelenos with otherworldly problems.

<p> While <em>Breaking Bad </em>and <em>Better Call Saul </em>are two very different shows, they take place in the same universe. <em>Breaking Bad </em>tells the story of Walter White, a seemingly normal man who builds a drug empire to provide for his family after he is diagnosed with terminal cancer. <em>Better Call Saul </em>is a prequel spinoff of that show, telling the story of lawyer / scammer Saul Goodman - otherwise known as Jimmy McGill - who's played by Bob Odenkirk. </p> <p> Arguably, this is where <em>many </em>people heard about Bob Odenkirk, because his portrayal of Saul Goodman in <em>Breaking Bad </em>was so good, it warranted a whole new series. And, for good reason, too. Bob Odenkirk is phenomenal and really showed his acting talent. If you have never seen either of these series, I’d recommend watching <em>Breaking Bad </em>first, and then <em>Better Call Saul. </em>S’all good, man! </p>

AMC

Better Call Saul (Breaking Bad)

While he could have easily been viewed as merely the comic relief of Breaking Bad, Bob Odenkirk — a former SNL writer and sketch comedy performer — experienced a career 180 by playing Saul Goodman. His performance as the shady lawyer only grew stronger when he became the center of the prequel series, Better Call Saul, which surpassed its predecessor in seasons (six) and Emmy snubs (53 nominations with zero wins, much to fans’ chagrin).

<p> <em>The Good Wife</em> was a CBS drama chronicling the personal and professional struggles of litigator Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies in a two-time Emmy-winning role) after a scandal lands her state attorney husband (played by Chris Noth) behind bars. Christie Baranski’s Diane Lockhart was the central focus of the sequel series, <em>The Good Fight</em> which earned two Emmy nominations during its six-season run. </p>

Paramount Plus

The Good Fight (The Good Wife)

The Good Wife was a CBS drama chronicling the personal and professional struggles of litigator Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies in a two-time Emmy-winning role) after a scandal lands her state attorney husband (played by Chris Noth) behind bars. Christie Baranski’s Diane Lockhart was the central focus of the sequel series, The Good Fight which earned two Emmy nominations during its six-season run.

<p> When <em>Diff’rent Strokes</em> debuted in 1978, Charlotte Rae’s Edna Garrett served as the Drummonds’ housekeeper. The following year, Rae reprised the role as the lead of <em>The Facts of Life</em>, in which she served as the housemother for boarding school students Blair (Lisa Whelchel), Tootie (Kim Fields), Natalie (Mindy Cohn), and Jo (Nancy McKeon). </p>

NBC

The Facts Of Life (Diff'rent Strokes)

When Diff’rent Strokes debuted in 1978, Charlotte Rae’s Edna Garrett served as the Drummonds’ housekeeper. The following year, Rae reprised the role as the lead of The Facts of Life, in which she served as the housemother for boarding school students Blair (Lisa Whelchel), Tootie (Kim Fields), Natalie (Mindy Cohn), and Jo (Nancy McKeon).

Picard in the Captain's chair in Star Trek: The Next Generation

Paramount+

Star Trek: The Next Generation (Star Trek)

While it was canceled after three years in 1969, Star Trek launched an out-of-this-world cultural phenomenon that lives on in several ongoing TV shows and even quite a few big-screen hits, as well. However, for some Trekkies, the best installment of the franchise is the multi-Emmy-winning Star Trek: The Next Generation, which was led by Sir Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard for seven seasons.

<p> “Penny and Dime” serves as the final act of Frank Castle’s origin story and it ends strongly. Castle’s final speech of the episode is what gives the Frank Castle character the heart needed to eventually carry his own show in the future. I hope Bernthal’s Punisher returns just like DD and the gang. The episode also vilifies Castle’s mob targets exceptionally well. They threaten innocents and they even hurt dogs! </p> <p> The episode is also a lowkey team-up between Daredevil and The Punisher, as it happens in the comics now and then. A great moment between the two is DD stopping The Punisher from killing a bad guy when they’re fighting together. It’s great to see their dueling ideologies expressed in their actions as well as their words without necessarily having to clash over them. </p>

Netflix

The Punisher (Daredevil)

The first installment in a shared universe of Marvel TV shows originally exclusive to Netflix was Daredevil, which introduced Jon Bernthal in the role of Frank Castle in its second season. While the vengeful vigilante’s own spin-off only lasted two seasons, The Punisher was highly acclaimed.

<p> The show that wound up beating <em>Happy Days</em> for the Number One spot the following year was its own spin-off, <em>Laverne & Shirley</em>. Starring the late Penny Marshall and the late Cindy Williams as the titular roommates and coworkers, the sitcom actually managed to top the charts for two consecutive years with an average rating that was above 30. </p>

ABC

Laverne & Shirley (Happy Days)

The long-running nostalgic sitcom Happy Days was the parent series of several well-known spin-offs, including Mork & Mindy and Joanie Loves Chachi, but easily the most successful of the bunch was Laverne & Shirley. Cindy Williams reprised her role as Shirley Feeney alongside Penny Marshall as the titular duo on the sitcom that became one of the most popular TV shows of its time and ran from 1976 to 1983.

<p> The most notorious scene-stealer from the cast of <em>Soap</em> — an acclaimed parody of daytime soap operas — was the late Robert Guillaume in the Emmy-winning role of Benson DuBois. The future <em>Lion King</em> voice cast member won his second Emmy when he reprised the character in his self-tilted spin-off, which saw him promoted from the Tates’ butler to working for a bumbling state governor. </p>

ABC

Benson (Soap)

The most notorious scene-stealer from the cast of Soap — an acclaimed parody of daytime soap operas — was the late Robert Guillaume in the Emmy-winning role of Benson DuBois. The future Lion King voice cast member won his second Emmy when he reprised the character in his self-tilted spin-off, which saw him promoted from the Tates’ butler to working for a bumbling state governor.

<p> Is <em>The Simpsons</em> set in Springfield, Illinois, or the Missouri city of the same name, or maybe the Massachusetts town? We may never know, but we do know that the landmark and long-running animated series doesn’t take place in NYC or LA. While Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie have traveled over the years, basecamp is always within smelling distance of the Springfield Tire Fire. </p>

Disney+

The Simpsons (The Tracey Ullman Show)

As the longest-running animated series of all time, The Simpsons has been around long enough that most modern audiences might not even remember (or were ever informed) about its origins. The dysfunctional family gained traction as a segment on The Tracey Ullman Show before creator Matt Groening developed a half-hour program based around them.

<p> The Kevin Sorbo-led <em>Hercules: The Legendary Journeys</em> begat two spin-offs — a prequel series called <em>Young Hercules</em> (starring Ryan Gosling in the title role) and <em>Xena: Warrior Princess</em>. The latter would run longer than its parent series (six years) and skyrocketed New Zealand-born Lucy Lawless to geek goddess status. </p>

Xena: Warrior Princess

Xena: Warrior Princess (Hercules: The Legendary Journeys)

The Kevin Sorbo-led Hercules: The Legendary Journeys begat two spin-offs — a prequel series called Young Hercules (starring Ryan Gosling in the title role) and Xena: Warrior Princess. The latter would run longer than its parent series (six years) and skyrocketed New Zealand-born Lucy Lawless to geek goddess status.

<p> James Spader originated the role of Alan Shore on Season 8 of <em>The Practice</em> before becoming one of the central figures of the legal drama’s direct continuation, <em>Boston Legal</em>. The series ran for more than 100 episodes and earned five Emmy Awards, including two for Spader and one for William Shatner as Denny Crane. </p>

ABC

Boston Legal (The Practice)

James Spader originated the role of Alan Shore on Season 8 of The Practice before becoming one of the central figures of the legal drama’s direct continuation, Boston Legal. The series ran for more than 100 episodes and earned five Emmy Awards, including two for Spader and one for William Shatner as Denny Crane.

<p> It’s pretty easy to say Heather Locklear has a “type.” The actor, and 1980s superstar, married Tommy Lee in 1986. The couple divorced in 1993 and Locklear married another famous ‘80s rocker, Bon Jovi guitar player Richie Sambora. Together with Sambora, she has one daughter, Ava Sambora. </p>

FOX

Melrose Place (Beverly Hills, 90210)

Among the the most popular ‘90s TV shows, two of the biggest titans of the serial drama category were Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place. Both series were created by Darren Star and produced by Aaron Spelling and existed in the same universe, with Grant Show’s Jake Hanson being the main connection.

<p> Before Bea Arthur joined the <em>Golden Girls</em> cast, she was best known for her Emmy-winning performance as the title role of <em>Maude</em> from 1972 to 1978. The late actor originated the outspoken character on an episode of <em>All in the Family</em> in which she visits her cousin, Edith Bunker (Jean Stapleton), and butts heads with Edith’s husband, Archie (Carroll O’Connor). </p>

CBS

Maude (All In The Family)

Before Bea Arthur joined the Golden Girls cast, she was best known for her Emmy-winning performance as the title role of Maude from 1972 to 1978. The late actor originated the outspoken character on an episode of All in the Family in which she visits her cousin, Edith Bunker (Jean Stapleton), and butts heads with Edith’s husband, Archie (Carroll O’Connor).

<p> Two years after <em>Sons of Anarchy</em> had its final curtain call in 2014, FX debuted another tale of outlaw bikers, set near the California-Mexico border, called <em>Mayans M.C.</em> While led by a new character named Ezekiel "EZ" Reyes (portrayed by J. D. Pardo), the series — which ended after five seasons in 2023 — also featured a few <em>Sons of the Anarchy</em> cast members, including Katey Sagal portraying Gemma Teller in the pilot. </p>

Mayans M.C. (Sons Of Anarchy)

Two years after Sons of Anarchy had its final curtain call in 2014, FX debuted another tale of outlaw bikers, set near the California-Mexico border, called Mayans M.C. While led by a new character named Ezekiel "EZ" Reyes (portrayed by J. D. Pardo), the series — which ended after five seasons in 2023 — also featured a few Sons of the Anarchy cast members, including Katey Sagal portraying Gemma Teller in the pilot.

<p> Most fans would agree that the all-time best Batman-related TV show is <em>Batman: The Animated Series</em>, but its futuristic follow-up, <em>Batman Beyond</em>, is not so far behind on that list. What started as a “terrible idea” (in the words of producer Bruce Timm to <a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/10/06/batman-beyond-cast-and-crew-recall-how-the-show-started-with-a-terrible-idea">IGN</a>) to reimagine the Dark Knight as a teenager evolved into an intriguing and inventive Neo-noir following an older Bruce Wayne (voiced by the late Kevin Conroy) mentoring his young successor, Terry McGinnis (Will Friedle). </p>

Warner Bros. Television

Batman Beyond (Batman: The Animated Series)

Most fans would agree that the all-time best Batman-related TV show is Batman: The Animated Series, but its futuristic follow-up, Batman Beyond, is not so far behind on that list. What started as a “terrible idea” (in the words of producer Bruce Timm to IGN) to reimagine the Dark Knight as a teenager evolved into an intriguing and inventive Neo-noir following an older Bruce Wayne (voiced by the late Kevin Conroy) mentoring his young successor, Terry McGinnis (Will Friedle).

Emma D'Arcy in Season 2 of House of the Dragon.

Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO

House Of The Dragon (Game Of Thrones)

Even though many fans were disappointed by the Game of Thrones finale, that did not stop them from tuning into HBO’s prequel series. In addition to the stellar House of the Dragon cast, including Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy, the fantasy epic’s stirring writing and gorgeous production design earned it rave reviews, multiple Emmy nominations, and a Golden Globe win for Best Television Series - Drama after its first season.

<p> The pilot episode of <em>Emergency!</em> featured Martin Milner and Kent McCord as their respective characters from <em>Adam-12</em>, officers Peter Malloy and Jim Reed — establishing it as a spin-off of the police procedural. However, as <a href="https://www.metv.com/stories/adam-12-had-a-crossover-with-emergency-and-the-very-idea-was-kind-of-ruined-by-an-earlier-story">MeTV.com</a> recalls, a later episode featured some of Station 51’s firefighters watching an episode of its parent series, which is just one strange continuity error from an otherwise exciting and grounded drama. </p>

NBC

Emergency! (Adam-12)

The pilot episode of Emergency! featured Martin Milner and Kent McCord as their respective characters from Adam-12, officers Peter Malloy and Jim Reed — establishing it as a spin-off of the police procedural. However, as MeTV.com recalls, a later episode featured some of Station 51’s firefighters watching an episode of its parent series, which is just one strange continuity error from an otherwise exciting and grounded drama.

<p> Even amidst the dawn of streaming, CBS’ <em>NCIS</em> managed to prove that some people do prefer to watch their scripted series the traditional way. The crime procedural reached a 13.5 average. </p>

CBS

NCIS (JAG)

Very rarely has a spin-off show outran its parent series, but that is the case with NCIS. Not only would the series last at least twice as long as JAG, which saw the debut of Leroy Gibbs (Mark Harmon) in its eighth season; but it also inspired multiple spin-offs of its own, including the long-running NCIS: Los Angeles.

<p> Before its revival in 2022, the initial run of <em>Law & Order</em> ran a whopping 20 seasons on NBC. The only subsequent installment in Dick Wolf’s franchise of crime dramas to last as long is <em>Law & Order: Special Victims Unit</em>, which was anchored by the chemistry between Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay as Detectives Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson. </p>

NBC

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Law & Order)

Before its revival in 2022, the initial run of Law & Order ran a whopping 20 seasons on NBC. The only subsequent installment in Dick Wolf’s franchise of crime dramas to last as long is Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which was anchored by the chemistry between Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay as Detectives Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson.

<p> One of the most successful examples of a spin-off that was almost nothing like the original show is <em>Lou Grant</em>. Following the end of <em>The Mary Tyler Moore Show</em>, Ed Asner earned his sixth and seventh Emmys for reprising the TV news producer on this more dramatic series in which he becomes a Los Angeles newspaper editor. </p>

CBS

Lou Grant (The Mary Tyler Moore Show)

One of the most successful examples of a spin-off that was almost nothing like the original show is Lou Grant. Following the end of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Ed Asner earned his sixth and seventh Emmys for reprising the TV news producer on this more dramatic series in which he becomes a Los Angeles newspaper editor.

<p> Admit it, as soon as you saw this you immediately started singing "Well, we're moving on up!" Everyone loves the theme to <em>The Jeffersons.</em> Everyone. While the comedy in and of itself is one of the best sitcoms in television history (even if the show never even hit 100 episodes), the theme song has taken on a life of its own. </p>

CBS

The Jeffersons (All In The Family)

After stealing the show on All in the Family as the Bunkers’ neighbors, George (Sherman Hemsley) and Louise “Weezy” Jefferson (Isabel Sanford) would “move on up to the East Side” in their own show. The Jeffersons only earned two Emmy Awards, but lasted an impressive 11 seasons and, in the process, became almost as influential as its parent series.

<p> Charmingly naive mechanic Gomer Pyle became a fan-favorite character on <em>The Andy Griffith Show</em> following his introduction in Season 3. Jim Nabors went on to reprise the role on another hit sitcom called <em>Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.</em>, in which the character becomes a marine. </p>

CBS

Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (The Andy Griffith Show)

Charmingly naive mechanic Gomer Pyle became a fan-favorite character on The Andy Griffith Show following his introduction in Season 3. Jim Nabors went on to reprise the role on another hit sitcom called Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., in which the character becomes a marine.

<p> Few <em>Daily Show</em> correspondents made as grand an impact during host Jon Stewart’s legendary stint than Stephen Colbert as an over-the-top conservative version of himself. He went on to host his own, arguably funnier late-night Comedy Central original, <em>The Colbert Report</em>, before retiring the character for good when he was chosen to replace David Letterman on CBS’s <em>Late Show</em>. </p>

Comedy Central

The Colbert Report (The Daily Show with Jon Stewart)

Few Daily Show correspondents made as grand an impact during host Jon Stewart’s legendary stint than Stephen Colbert as an over-the-top conservative version of himself. He went on to host his own, arguably funnier late-night Comedy Central original, The Colbert Report, before retiring the character for good when he was chosen to replace David Letterman on CBS’s Late Show.

<p> When Valerie Harper left the <em>Mary Tyler Moore Show</em> to star in her own spin-off, <em>Rhoda</em>, the title character would meet and marry a divorced man named Joe Gerard (David Groh). Their relationship would only last a couple more years and we discovered much later in a 2000 TV movie called <em>Mary and Rhoda</em> that she found a new French husband named Jean-Pierre Rousseau, but that marriage did not last either. </p>

MTM Enterprises

Rhoda (The Mary Tyler Moore Show)

The first spin-off from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, revolved around Valerie Harper in the title role returning to her native New York City, where she meets and marries Joe Gerard (David Groh). The latter seasons of the sitcom’s five-year run saw Rhoda becoming one of TV’s most iconic divorcees when she and Joe split.

<p> The <em>CSI</em> franchise involves two series set in Vegas, another set in New York, a short-lived version dedicated to cybercrime, and is even set in the same universe as <em>Without a Trace</em> and <em>Cold Case</em>. Perhaps the one installment with the most cultural impact is <em>CSI: Miami</em>, with much credit due to David Caruso’s iconic performance as quip master, Lt. Horatio Caine. </p>

CBS

CSI: Miami (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation)

The CSI franchise involves two series set in Vegas, another set in New York, a short-lived version dedicated to cybercrime, and is even set in the same universe as Without a Trace and Cold Case. Perhaps the one installment with the most cultural impact is CSI: Miami, with much credit due to David Caruso’s iconic performance as quip master, Lt. Horatio Caine.

The CW

The Flash (Arrow)

The CW’s shared universe of DC TV shows is collectively referred to as the “Arrowverse,” with Arrow being the one that started it all in 2012. One might argue that the best of these spin-offs (and one of the best modern superhero TV shows in general) is The Flash, starring Grant Gustin as a version of lightning-fast Barry Allen who was first introduced in Arrow’s second season.

<p> A follow-up to <em>The Golden Girls</em> called <em>The Golden Palace</em>, in which the characters (sans Dorothy) manage a hotel together, was far less successful than <em>Empty Nest</em>, which was branched off from a 1987 <em>Golden Girls</em> episode. Notably, however, the series that came to be, and lasted seven seasons, merely borrowed the concept of the original backdoor pilot (a middle-aged couple with “empty nest syndrome”). It employed a whole new cast and characters, but still established the <em>Golden Girls</em> characters as their neighbors. </p>

NBC

Empty Nest (The Golden Girls)

A follow-up to The Golden Girls called The Golden Palace, in which the characters (sans Dorothy) manage a hotel together, was far less successful than Empty Nest, which was branched off from a 1987 Golden Girls episode. Notably, however, the series that came to be, and lasted seven seasons, merely borrowed the concept of the original backdoor pilot (a middle-aged couple with “empty nest syndrome”). It employed a whole new cast and characters, but still established the Golden Girls characters as their neighbors.