Cover ‘Better Call Saul’ is one of the most successful TV spin-offs of all time (Photo: AMC)
‘Better Call Saul’ is one of the most successful TV spin-offs of all time (Photo: AMC)
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Whether revisiting beloved characters or exploring untapped corners of a universe, these TV spin-offs proved that sometimes, the second act is even better than the first
TV spin-offs have a reputation problem. For every Better Call Saul, there’s a Joey. For every Frasier, a That ’80s Show (and That ’90s Show) lurks in the shadows. For every Mindy And Mork, there's an And Just Like That that simply gets carried away. At their worst, spin-offs feel like reheated leftovers—just familiar enough to remind you of the original but lacking the seasoning that made it great.
And yet, when done right, spin-offs can be spectacular. They can expand on beloved universes, elevate side characters to iconic status, and sometimes even surpass their predecessors. From legal procedurals to dragon-fuelled family drama, here are the spin-offs that didn’t just survive outside the mothership—they thrived.
Also read: 5 heartbreaking TV dramas to watch if you liked ‘Adolescence’
1. ‘Better Call Saul’ (2015–2022)
Spin-off of: Breaking Bad
When Breaking Bad ended, fans wondered if Vince Gilligan could bottle that same lightning twice. Turns out, he could—and he did it with a slow-burn character study instead of a high-stakes crime thriller. Better Call Saul follows Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) before he became Saul Goodman, and it’s a masterclass in character development. Critics and fans alike now debate whether it actually surpassed Breaking Bad in quality. It received 53 Emmy nominations during its run but failed to garner wins (which will always be a stain in the Emmys’ history). Regardless, Better Call Saul is right up there with the best TV spin-offs and the best shows of all time.
2. ‘Frasier’ (1993–2004, 2023–present)
Spin-off of: Cheers
Few TV spin-offs have ever achieved what Frasier did: stepping out of its predecessor’s shadow to become a cultural force of its own. Many people even forget that Frasier was part of a different show. Transplanting Dr Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) from the beer-stained camaraderie of Cheers to the high-brow snobbery of Seattle’s upper class proved to be comedic gold. The show amassed 37 Emmy wins, including five consecutive Outstanding Comedy Series trophies. Even the 2023 revival has found its own groove.
3. ‘Cobra Kai’ (2018–2025)
Spin-off of: The Karate Kid franchise
In a world of reboots and nostalgia grabs, Cobra Kai could have been another tired retread. Moreover, the show also had a strange beginning. Though it had always been critically praised, it first aired on the doomed YouTube Red. Fortunately, Netflix picked it up, and fans got a total of six seasons.
Instead of relying purely on nostalgia, the show flipped the script (Cobra Kai fans know), shifting focus to Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), the original film’s antagonist. With sharp writing, self-aware humour and a fresh take on old rivalries, it brought a new generation into the Karate Kid universe while satisfying longtime fans.
4. ‘Young Sheldon’ (2017–2024)
Spin-off of: The Big Bang Theory
TV spin-offs don't always need to be edgy. Young Sheldon took a family-friendly, single-camera approach to the origins of The Big Bang Theory’s socially awkward genius, Sheldon Cooper. With Iain Armitage leading a fantastic cast (including narration from Jim Parsons himself), it has become a heartwarming success that carved out its own identity beyond its parent show.
5. ‘Angel’ (1999–2004)
Spin-off of: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Joss Whedon’s Buffy was already a pop-culture phenomenon, but Angel took a darker, more noir-influenced approach. Following Buffy’s brooding ex, Angel (David Boreanaz), as he set up a supernatural detective agency in Los Angeles, the show deepened its mythology while exploring morally complex themes. It’s often praised for going even grittier and more emotionally intense than Buffy itself.
6. ‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’ (1993–1999)
Spin-off of: Star Trek: The Next Generation
While most Star Trek series before it followed ships exploring the galaxy, Deep Space Nine broke convention by focusing on a stationary space station. This allowed for deeper, more serialised storytelling, intricate political conflicts and some of the richest character arcs in Trek history. For many fans, DS9 is the franchise’s best-kept secret.
7. ‘The Mandalorian’ (2019–present)
Spin-off of: Star Wars franchise
When The Mandalorian was announced, some wondered if a Boba Fett-adjacent space Western could carry the Star Wars legacy. But Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin and the instantly iconic Grogu (Baby Yoda) proved it was more than just an extension of the saga—it became a phenomenon in its own right. Star Wars TV spin-offs are usually hit-miss, but this one hits the target every time.
8. ‘Boston Legal’ (2004–2008)
Spin-off of: The Practice
David E Kelley took The Practice’s eccentric lawyer Alan Shore (James Spader) and put him at the centre of Boston Legal, a legal dramedy with razor-sharp wit and a powerhouse cast. Spader and William Shatner’s oddball friendship as Alan Shore and Denny Crane made for some of the best TV moments of the 2000s.
9. ‘The Originals’ (2013–2018)
Spin-off of: The Vampire Diaries
While The Vampire Diaries gave us high school supernatural romance, The Originals elevated things with a Shakespearean-level family drama centred on the powerful Mikaelson vampire clan. With its mix of gothic intrigue and political power struggles in New Orleans, it won over fans who were ready for something darker and more mature.
10. ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ (1995–2001)
Spin-off of: Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Who knew that a minor guest character from Hercules would go on to become an international icon? Xena: Warrior Princess took Lucy Lawless’ fierce warrior and made her a feminist legend, blending camp, action and mythology into one of the most beloved shows of the ’90s.
11. ‘House of the Dragon’ (2022–present)
Spin-off of: Game of Thrones
HBO had a lot to prove after Game of Thrones left audiences divided with its final season. Enter House of the Dragon, a medieval family drama with all the political scheming, shocking betrayals and, of course, fire-breathing chaos we craved. The prequel chronicles the downfall of House Targaryen, proving once again that Westerosi power struggles are peak entertainment.
Don't miss: Everything you need to know about HBO’s ‘The House of the Dragon’
12. ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ (1999–present)
Spin-off of: Law & Order
SVU is proof that some spin-offs can outlast (and outshine) the original. Now the longest-running live-action primetime series in history, SVU gave us Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), one of television’s most iconic detectives, and a show that remains socially relevant 26 seasons in. Law & Order spawned several TV spin-offs, but there's really no eclipsing SVU.
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