A spin-off in television is a new series containing characters or settings that originated in a previous series, but with a different focus, tone, or theme. For example, the series Frasier was a spin-off of the earlier series Cheers : the character Frasier Crane was introduced as a secondary character on Cheers, and became the protagonist of his own series, set in a different city, in the spin-off. Spin-offs are particularly common in sitcom. A related phenomenon, not to be confused with the spin-off, is the crossover.
Some spin-offs are "engineered" to introduce a new character on the original television series, just so that that character can anchor the new spin-off – that episode of the original series is often known as a "backdoor pilot". For example, the character Avery Ryan appeared in two episodes of the Las Vegas-based CSI: Crime Scene Investigation before the premiere of CSI: Cyber . [1]
A revival, a later remake of a preexisting show, is not a spin-off. This is the case in Doctor Who, where the 2005 series which begins with a new Doctor but maintains the existing continuity. An exception to this rule can be made to series such as The Transformers where the lines of continuity are blurred. If a television pilot was written but never shot, it is not considered a spin-off. When a show undergoes a name change, it is not necessarily a spin-off.
Neither is a reboot series, a term recently invented for motion pictures, which can also occur in television (e.g. The Battlestar Galactica series of 2003 is a reboot, not a spin-off of the 1978 version [2] ). This is distinct from a revival in that there is little or no attempt to retain continuity, or casting, with the original. A recent example is the 1987 series Beauty and the Beast , rebooted as the 2012 CW television series Beauty & the Beast , [3] which keeps only the main premise of a female law enforcement official aided by a man-beast, the New York City locale, and the names of the two main characters. The CW's Beauty & the Beast was later rebooted again as a HBO Max series starting in 2023.
NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999-), which is the spin-off of NBC’s Law & Order (1990-2010; 2022-), is the longest-running spin-off series in American TV history with its landmark 25th season set to premiere on January 18, 2024.
The following is an alphabetical list of television spin-offs by their respective parent series.
Parent series | Spin-off series |
---|---|
7 vidas (1999–2006) | Aída (2005–2014) |
9-1-1 (TV series) (2018) | 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020) |
19 Kids and Counting (2008–2015) (17 Kids and Counting in 2008, 18 Kids and Counting in 2008–09) | United Bates of America (2012) |
Jill and Jessa: Counting On (2015) | |
16 and Pregnant (2009–2014) | Teen Mom (2009–2012; 2015) |
Teen Mom 2 (2011–2022) | |
Teen Mom 3 (2013) | |
The 20th Century Fox Hour (1955–1957) | Broken Arrow (1956–1958) |
21 Jump Street (1987–1991) | Booker (1989–1990) |
24 (2001–2010, 2014) | 24: Legacy (2017) |
60 Minutes (1968–) | 60 Minutes II (1999–2005) |
No. 73 (1982–1988) | 7T3 (1988) |
77 Sunset Strip (1958–1964) | Bourbon Street Beat (1959–1960) |
Parent series | Spin-off series |
---|---|
EastEnders (1985–present) | Civvy Street (1988) |
EastEnders: E20 (2010–11) | |
Redwater (2017) | |
The Electric Company (1971–1977) | The Electric Company (2009–2011) |
The Electric Playground (1997) | Judgement Day (2002–2007) |
The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) | Bethenny (2012; test run only) |
Emergency Vets (1998–2002) | E-Vet Interns (2007) |
Empty Nest (1988–1995) | Nurses (1991–1994) |
Encantadia (2005–2006) | Etheria: Ang Ikalimang Kaharian ng Encantadia (2005–2006) |
Encantadia: Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas (2006) | |
Encantadia (2016 TV series) (2016) | |
Essence of Emeril (1994–1996, 2000) | Emeril Live (1997–2007) |
Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005) | The King of Queens (1998-2007) |
Every Witch Way (2014–2015) | WITS Academy (2015) |
Extreme Makeover (2002–2007) | Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2003–2012) |
Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition (2011) | |
Entertainment Tonight (1981) | Hard Copy (1989–1999) |
Real TV (1996–2001) | |
Maximum Exposure (2000–2002) | |
The Insider (2004–2017) |
Parent series | Spin-off series |
---|---|
Jackass (2000–2002) |
|
The Jackie Gleason Show (1949–1957) | The Honeymooners (1955–1956) |
JAG (1995–2005) | NCIS (2003–present) |
The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency (2006–2008) | Christmas with the Dickinsons (2006) Janice & Abbey (2007) |
The Jeffersons (1975–1985) | Checking In (1981) |
The Jerry Springer Show (1991-2018) | The Steve Wilkos Show (2007-) |
Jersey Shore (2009–2012) |
|
Jessie (2011–2015) | Bunk'd (2015–) |
The Jim Henson Hour (1989–1993) | Dog City (1992–1994) |
Jon & Kate Plus 8 (2007–2009) | Kate Plus 8 (2010–2017) |
Jonny Quest (1964–1965) | The New Adventures of Jonny Quest (1986–1987) |
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest (1996–1997) | |
Judge Judy (1996–2021) | Judy Justice (2021–present) |
Justice League (2001–2004) | Justice League Unlimited (2004–2006) |
Parent series | Spin-off series |
---|---|
Pakdam Pakdai (2013-present) | Sammy Squirrel Show |
Party of Five (1994–2000) | Time of Your Life (1999–2000) |
Pardon the Interruption (2001–) | Around the Horn (2002-) Cold Pizza (2003–2007) |
The Partridge Family (1970–1974) | Getting Together (1971–1972) |
Partridge Family 2200 A.D. (1974) | |
Password (1961–1967, 1971–1975) |
|
Pawn Stars (2009–) |
|
Pebble Mill at One (1973–1986) |
|
The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show (1971–1972) | The Flintstone Comedy Hour (1972–1973) |
The People's Court (1981–93, 1997–present) | Judge Wapner's Animal Court (1998–2000) |
Perfect Strangers (1986–1993) | Family Matters (1989–1998) |
Perry Mason (1957–1966) | The New Perry Mason (1973–1974) |
Petticoat Junction (1963–1970) | Green Acres (1965–1971) |
That Peter Kay Thing (2000) | Phoenix Nights (2001–2002) |
Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere (2004) | |
Phineas and Ferb (2007-2015) | Take Two with Phineas and Ferb (2010–2011) |
Pingu (1990-2000, 2003-2006) | The Pingu Show (2006–2007) |
Pingu in the City (2017-) | |
The Pink Panther Show (1969–1980) | Pink Panther and Sons (1984–1985) |
The Pink Panther (1993–1995) | |
Pink Panther and Pals (2010) | |
Play for Today (1970–1984) | Rumpole of the Bailey (1975–1992) |
Boys from the Blackstuff (1980–1982) | |
Please Sir! (1968–1972) | The Fenn Street Gang (1971–1973) |
Bowler (1973) | |
Pokémon (1997–) | Pokémon Chronicles (2001-2005) |
Police Story (1973–1978) | Police Woman (1974–1978) |
Joe Forrester (1975–1976) | |
David Cassidy: Man Under Cover (1978–1979) | |
Popeye the Sailor (1960–1962) | The All-New Popeye Hour (1978–1982) |
Popeye and Son (1987) | |
Popstars (1999) (Original series and resulting franchise) |
|
Porridge (1974–1977) | Going Straight (1978) |
Postman Pat (1981) | Guess with Jess (2009–2012) |
Pound Puppies (1985) |
|
The Practice (1997–2004) | Boston Legal (2004–2008) |
Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017) |
|
Primeval (2007–2011) | Primeval: New World (2012–2013) |
The Professionals (1977–1983) | CI5: The New Professionals (1999) |
Project Greenlight (2001–2005) |
|
Property Brothers (2011–present) |
|
Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011) | Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story: Magia Record (2020) |
The Pupil (2010–2011) | Code of Law (2012–2020) |
Derek (2019) | |
Forensik (2020) |
Parent series | Spin-off series |
---|---|
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (2003–2007) | Queer Eye for the Straight Girl (2005) |
Queer Eye (2018-present) |
Parent series | Spin-off series |
---|---|
The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017) | The Originals (2013–2018) |
Legacies (2018–2022) | |
VeggieTales (1993) |
|
Vic Reeves Big Night Out (1990–1991) | Les Lives (1993) |
Victorious (2010–2013) | Sam & Cat (2013–2014) |
The Virginian (1962–1971) | Laredo (1965–1967) |
Vision On (1964–1976) | Take Hart (1977–1983) |
Viva La Bam (2003–2005) | Bam's Unholy Union (2007) |
Bam's World Domination (2010 special) | |
Voltron (1984–1985) | Voltron: The Third Dimension (1998–2000) |
Voltron Force (2011–2012) |
Parent series | Spin-off series |
---|---|
The X Factor (2004–present) | The Xtra Factor (2004) |
The X Factor: Battle of the Stars (2006) | |
The X-Files (1993–2002) | Millennium (1996–1999) |
The Lone Gunmen (2001) | |
The XYY Man (1976–1977) | Strangers (1978–1982) |
Bulman (1985–1987) | |
Xiaolin Showdown (2003–2006) | Xiaolin Chronicles (2013–2015) |
Parent series | Spin-off series |
---|---|
Z-Cars (1962–1978) | Softly, Softly (1966–1969) |
Zoom (1972–1978) | Zoom (1999–2005) |
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CSI is a media franchise of American television series created by Anthony E. Zuiker. The first three CSI series follow the work of forensic scientists as they unveil the circumstances behind mysterious deaths, while the fourth series, CSI: Cyber, emphasizes behavioral psychology and how it can be applied to cyber forensics.
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Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior is an American police procedural drama starring Forest Whitaker and Janeane Garofalo that aired on CBS. The show debuted on February 16, 2011, as a spin-off of another series, Criminal Minds, aired on the same network, and is the second show in the Criminal Minds franchise. This edition's profiling team also worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) in Quantico, Virginia. The series focuses on a small rapid response team called a "Red Cell" that reports to the FBI director. In an April 2010 episode of Criminal Minds, during the show's fifth season, the original team met the new team and worked with them to find a San Francisco serial killer, with the episode serving as the new series' backdoor pilot.
Laff-A-Lympics is an American animated comedy television series produced by Hanna-Barbera. The series premiered as part of the Saturday-morning cartoon program block Scooby's All-Star Laff-A-Lympics; which consists of 24 episodes, on ABC in 1977. The show is a spoof of the Olympics and the ABC primetime series Battle of the Network Stars, which debuted one year earlier. It featured 45 Hanna-Barbera characters organized into teams which competed each week for gold, silver, and bronze medals. In each episode, the Really Rottens would try in each event to cheat only to get caught by Snagglepuss each time. One season of 16 episodes was produced in 1977–78, and eight new episodes combined with reruns for the 1978–79 season as Scooby's All-Stars. Unlike most cartoon series produced by Hanna-Barbera in the 1970s, Laff-A-Lympics did not contain a laugh track. Scooby’s Laff-a-Lympics was originally owned by Taft Broadcasting, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution currently owns the series through its two in-name-only units, Warner Bros. Family Entertainment and Turner Entertainment.
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Arquette previously appeared on CSI in a backdoor pilot episode for Cyber last spring.
...Sci Fi Channel's critically exalted reboot of the 1978–79 TV series about space-faring humans fleeing genocidal robots known as Cylons...
Becoming Human, the online extension to BBC3 drama Being Human, is to reach its finale via a simulcast aired online and on the digital channel.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, the spin-off.
ABC Entertainment Group president Paul Lee has a theory about why Once Upon a Time in Wonderland didn't work out. The network executive suggests the Once Upon a Time spin-off was undermined by its time slot.
The Sarah Jane Adventures – which was created by Russell T. Davies (Torchwood) specifically for her – and its spin-off, Sarah Jane's Alien Files.