Television has always been a medium of storytelling, allowing for a deep and evolving connection with its audience. While most shows begin and end with a single, self-contained narrative arc, there are certain television series that grow beyond their original scope. These expanded stories often take on a life of their own through spin-offs, a unique form of television programming in which a character, event, or idea from one series is used as the basis for a new, separate series. TV spin-offs have become a cultural phenomenon, reflecting the demand for expanded worlds and deeper explorations of popular characters.But what exactly makes a successful TV spin-off? What key elements ensure that a spin-off doesn’t just become a watered-down imitation of its predecessor? And how has the television industry evolved to make spin-offs a staple of modern television?
What is a TV spin-off?
A spin-off is a television show derived from an existing series, often focusing on a minor character, specific event, or setting introduced in the original series. Spin-offs are usually made to capitalize on the popularity of the original series, but are also intended to stand on their own creatively, introducing new characters and storylines that can be explored in new ways.For example, the highly successful series Frasier was a spin-off of Cheers, following the character Frasier Crane (played by Kelsey Grammer) after he left the bar where he was a regular. In this case, while Frasier shared a common background with the original Cheers universe, the series was able to develop a new set of comedic themes, settings, and characters, making it a hit in its own right.
The Appeal of TV Spin-offs
Spin-offs have become a crucial part of television programming, largely due to their ability to appeal to existing fanbases. The appeal is straightforward: fans are already emotionally invested in a series and its characters, and they’re dying to see more. Whether it’s continuing the journey of a fan-favorite character or diving deeper into a subplot, spin-offs offer a chance to revisit familiar worlds.
- Expanding the Universe: Spin-offs allow writers to explore more complex layers of a series’ universe. Better Call Saul, a spin-off of Breaking Bad, is a great example of this. While Breaking Bad focuses on Walter White’s transformation from mild-mannered teacher to drug lord, Better Call Saul delves deeper into the character of Saul Goodman, exploring his moral decay long before his first appearance in Breaking Bad. This gives viewers a more nuanced understanding of his journey.
- Exploring Supporting Characters: Not every character in a series can get equal screen time, and spin-offs often put the spotlight on characters who didn’t necessarily get the full attention they deserved in the original series. For example, The Mandalorian grew out of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the larger Star Wars franchise, building on a supporting character, Din Djarin, and introducing audiences to a whole new set of adventures. This allows for fresh storytelling while still remaining rooted in a beloved universe.
- Building on success: A successful show can open up a variety of opportunities for spin-offs. When a show has a loyal fan base and good ratings, networks and streaming platforms are more inclined to create spin-offs that can continue to capitalize on the success of the original. This model works especially well for franchises with large, established worlds like Star Trek, NCIS, or Law & Order. These shows can easily be split into multiple spin-offs without losing their core identity.
The Evolution of TV Spin-offs
Historically, spin-offs have often been seen as a way to keep a popular show alive and extend its life beyond its original premise. The concept of the spin-off gained traction during the golden age of television in the 1960s and 1970s, with shows like Maude (a spin-off of All in the Family) and The Jeffersons (another All in the Family spin-off) becoming household names. These shows were able to capitalize on the popularity of the characters established in the original series, and it became a popular strategy for networks to squeeze more value out of successful intellectual property.
Over time, as television has evolved, so has the nature of spinoffs. While original series have typically had to come to their natural conclusion, today’s television landscape is much more fluid, especially with the rise of streaming platforms. Today, networks can create spinoffs at any point during a show’s run, often even before the original series has finished airing.
- The Streaming Revolution: The rise of platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ has dramatically changed the way TV spinoffs are conceived and implemented. These platforms have given creators more freedom to experiment with spinoff ideas, and they have made it easier for shows to find an audience without the traditional constraints of network television. Take The Witcher universe, for example. While the Witcher series itself has a large fan base, Netflix has also expanded it with spin-offs like The Witcher: Blood Origin and the animated film The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf. Streaming services offer a lot of flexibility when it comes to world-building, and they also allow niche shows to thrive.
- Franchise building: With the success of spin-offs, there is a growing trend of franchise building. Shows like NCIS and Law & Order have created entire universes where spin-offs can branch off in different directions, from NCIS: Los Angeles to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. This franchise building model is especially common with crime series, where new cases and characters can always be introduced without significantly changing the core concept.
- Shared universes: Adopted from the film industry, the idea of ​​shared universes has also permeated the world of television. The most notable example of this is the Arrowverse, a group of interconnected television series based on DC Comics characters. Series like Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow all take place in the same fictional universe, with characters crossing over from one series into the next. This strategy has allowed for both successful spin-offs and the creation of a broader, more connected world for fans to explore.
Notable TV Spinoffs
Frasier (1993–2004): One of the most successful TV spinoffs in history, Frasier originated from the popular sitcom Cheers. Kelsey Grammer’s portrayal of pompous but lovable psychiatrist Frasier Crane was so popular that it warranted its own series, which ran for 11 successful seasons. The series deviated from its origins by focusing on Frasier’s life in Seattle, his relationships with his father, brother and friends, and his various romantic misadventures. Frasier proved that a spinoff could not only match the success of its predecessor, but sometimes surpass it.
- Better Call Saul (2015–2022): As mentioned, Better Call Saul began as a prequel to Breaking Bad, focusing on the character of criminal defense attorney Saul Goodman. Fans of Breaking Bad may have been skeptical at first, but Better Call Saul quickly evolved into a critically acclaimed series. It explored Saul’s transformation from hapless lawyer Jimmy McGill to the morally corrupt lawyer fans met in Breaking Bad.
- The Mandalorian (2019-present): Set in the Star Wars universe, The Mandalorian is a prime example of a successful spin-off of an already established franchise. While not a spin-off in the traditional sense—as it focuses on an entirely new character—it exists within the Star Wars mythology and weaves together familiar themes and characters. The series’ success led to several spin-offs such as Ahsoka and The Book of Boba Fett, expanding the Star Wars universe on Disney+.
- Angel (1999-2004): A spin-off of the supernatural drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel took one of Buffy’s supporting characters—Angel, the vampire with a soul—and created a new series focused on his quest for redemption. Set in Los Angeles, Angel features a darker, more mature tone than its predecessor, tackling complex themes such as good versus evil and the consequences of past actions. The series gained a loyal fan base and ran for five seasons.
- The Simpsons (1989-present): It may be surprising, but The Simpsons is a spin-off of The Tracey Ullman Show, where the characters first appeared as shorts. Today, The Simpsons is a cultural institution in its own right, having influenced a wide range of animated and live-action sitcoms.
Challenges and Criticism of Spin-offs
While spin-offs can be incredibly successful, they also come with challenges. One of the biggest risks is that the new series feels like a pure rehash of the original, with little new and exciting content to offer. Joey, the Friends spin-off, is a prime example of this, as it struggled to stand out from the crowd and quickly became a critical and box office failure. The Conners, a spin-off of Roseanne, was also initially criticized for its handling of the loss of the main character, but was able to succeed by exploring new dynamics and relationships.
Another challenge is the balancing act of maintaining the essence of the original series while still creating something new and unique. Fans of the original might be disappointed if the spin-off doesn’t capture what they loved about the original series, while the spin-off
conclusion
TV spin-offs are a unique and powerful storytelling vehicle that allows networks and creators to expand existing universes, explore supporting characters, and give audiences more of what they love. While the success of a spin-off depends on balancing what’s familiar with fresh ideas, many spin-offs have proven to be both creatively satisfying and commercially successful. From the lasting legacy of Frasier to the franchise-building power of shows like The Mandalorian, spin-offs have become a staple of modern television, helping to create interconnected universes and give fans deeper, more diverse storytelling. But they also face the challenge of standing on their own two feet without simply relying on the success of their predecessor. When done right, spin-offs can improve on the original series, create a lasting cultural impact, and expand the scope of beloved stories.more info…