If a show is a huge success, chances are there’ll be a spin-off at some point. Some spin-offs fail to replicate the success of the parent show, though some go on to become huge successes in their own right, and here are 9 of them.
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Absolutely Fabulous
Many people don’t realise that Ab Fab was a spin-off; it was originally a sketch on French and Saunders called ‘Modern Mother and Daughter’ and was eventually developed into its own show, which of course went on to become extremely popular, with a film released earlier in 2016. In the original sketch, Jennifer Saunders played the mother and Dawn French played the daughter.
2. Angel
Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off Angel started after Buffy’s third season finished and aired a total of five seasons from 1999-2004. The spin-off focused on the character of Angel, who was a recurring character throughout the first few seasons of Buffy, and sees the guilt-ridden vampire atone for his many sins.
3. Saved by the Bell
Everyone’s favourite 90s high school show was actually a spin-off of a Disney Channel show called Good Morning Miss Bliss. It ran for four seasons and actually produced two of its own spin-offs, Saved by the Bell: The College Years and Saved by the Bell: The New Class, along with two TV films.
4. Stargate Atlantis
Stargate Atlantis ran for five seasons from 2004-2009 and was a spin-off of Stargate SG-1, which was itself a spin-off of the 1994 film Stargate. Though the show didn’t receive much success with the critics, it nonetheless gained a huge cult following, achieved decent enough ratings and won a fair few awards.
5. The Simpsons
It’s easy to forget that The Simpsons is a spin-off of The Tracey Ullman Show, which aired from 1987-1990. It started off as a series of shorts on the show and was developed into its own show and is now the longest running sitcom of all time. As well as becoming a pop culture phenomenon, the show was won many awards and will conclude its 28th season in 2017.
6. Torchwood
Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood focused on the character of Captain Jack Harkness and his team of alien hunters who defend the planet from various threats. Whereas Doctor Who is aimed at families, Torchwood was developed with a more mature audience in mind and tackled themes its parent show hadn’t dealt with before.
7. CSI: Miami
A spin-off of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami ran for 10 seasons and went on to become one of the most successful TV series in the world as it featured in more top 10 viewing charts than any other TV series. Another spin-off, CSI: NY started two years after CSI: Miami and also went on to become a huge success.
8. Frasier
Cheers ran for eleven seasons and its spin-off, which focused on psychiatrist Frasier Crane and his return to his hometown of Seattle, also ran for eleven seasons. Not only did the comedy series achieve huge ratings, it won a ton of awards, including 37 Primetime Emmy Awards, and is thought to be one of the best comedy shows of all time.
9. Better Call Saul
Breaking Bad is widely regarded as one of the best TV shows ever made and its spin-off Better Call Saul, which focuses on what dodgy lawyer Saul Goodman got up to six years before the events of Breaking Bad. The show’s two seasons have received critical acclaim and a third is on its way.
