Whenever a television show reaches unprecedented heights of success, news of a spin-off will usually follow. Although very few spin-offs make it to syndication, there are those few that go on to see long and successful runs. With some even going on to surpass the prominence and popularity of their predecessor. Over the years, there have been those television spin-offs that have gone on to outperform their parent show, spawning dedicated fandoms and critical acclaim.
But why? What made these shows so popular? What did they capture that the original didn't? Although these questions can't be outrightly answered, an exploration of the best spin-offs on television can definitely be delivered. Here are 1o television spin-offs more popular than their original show.
10 'The Simpsons'
Yes, you read that right. Before The Simpsons was one of the longest-running animated shows in the world, it began its life as a series of shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show. Used to cut up the various comedic sketches, the shorts saw the now-iconic family dealing with the ups and downs of domestic life, from watching television to making dinner. The shorts' popularity soon saw Matt Groening developing his idea for a fully-fledged animated series, with the first episode airing in 1989, and the rest is now history.
9 'The Office' (US)
Adapted from the popular British sitcom of the same name, The Office first premiered in 2005 and fast became one of the greatest television shows of all time. Praised for its performances and writing, the show would go on to surpass the success of the BBC original, running for nine seasons and even receiving its own spin-off treatment, which never came to fruition. Although some may consider the show more of a remake than a spin-off, the show made numerous references to its British parent, confirming that both shows were set in the same television universe.
8 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'
The original Star Trek television series made its debut in 1966 and since then the franchise has gone on to spawn numerous spin-offs, movies and animated specials. Although Star Trek: The Next Generation is now remembered fondly by fans and popular culture, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine has also become known for its success and popularity. Praised now for its rich character development, diverse cast and ambitious storytelling, the show is now often ranked as more prolific than the original 1960's show and is considered a staple of 90's genre television.
7 'NCIS'
Considering the success of the NCIS brand, you may find it interesting to learn that the show was originally conceived as a spin-off for the television show, JAG, with the cast and premise of the series being introduced in a back-door pilot. Since then, NCIS has gone on to greatly surpass the success of its parent show, and currently spans eighteen seasons of television and two popular spin-offs.
6 'Daria'
Daria Morgendorffer originally appeared as a recurring character on the animated sitcom Beavis and Butt-Head, where she often acted as a foil to the two titular characters. Following the character's success, Daria was given her own animated spin-off, which sought to celebrate teen culture and strong female characters. Although the series did not see the same longevity as its predecessor, it did receive critical acclaim for its exploration of teenage issues. The show is now considered to be one of the best television spin-offs to ever be created and is beloved by a whole generation of fans.
5 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'
The Law & Order franchise is now considered a titan in the TV world. With the original show boasting a twenty season run, it was inevitable that the series would see its fair share of spin-off properties. To date, there have been five successors to the popular show, but none have been as successful as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which is currently airing its twenty-second season. Praised for its performances, writing and humanistic approach to the subject matter, the show has gone on to greatly surpass the popularity and prominence of its parent show and has been nominated for numerous awards and honors.
4 'Angel'
Originally conceived as a grittier entry for the "Buffyverse", Angel began its run in 1999 following the third season of its parent show. Detailing the adventures of the vampire Angel, and his amateur group of paranormal investigators, the show went on to spawn five successful seasons before being cancelled in 2004. Although the show may not have seen the same longevity as Buffy, it has since garnered its own dedicated fandom, who praise the show for it's darker tone and complex moral storytelling. Angel is now often considered to be one of the greatest television spin-offs in history and a fine successor to its anchor show.
3 'Better Call Saul'
Breaking Bad is now considered to be one of the greatest television shows of all time. Spanning five critically acclaimed seasons, the show would receive its own spin-off treatment in 2015, with the series Better Call Saul. A prequel to the events of its original show, Better Call Saul follows the misadventures of Jimmy McGill, a lawyer and former con artist. Since the show's initial airing, it has received nothing but positive feedback from critics and fans, with some even deeming the show as superior to its iconic predecessor.
2 'Xena: Warrior Princess'
Originally introduced as a villain on the first season of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena fast became a fan favourite character, spawning her own spin-off from the popular fantasy show. Xena: Warrior Princess would follow the titular character on her path to redemption, while also battling mythological monsters, warring gods and criminal outlaws. Today, Xena: Warrior Princess is seen as the superior of the two shows, with many praising it for its feminist themes, sapphic representation and morally complex characters. The show is also considered a pinnacle in cult television and is regarded as a touchstone for its portrayal of strong female characters.
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1 'The Flash'
When you look at the CW "Arrowverse" today, it's almost hard to believe that the whole franchise spawned from a single television show. First airing in 2012, Arrow changed the landscape of superhero media for good, proving that comic book adaptations can even be successful when they're created for the small screen. Since then the show has gone on to spawn six different spin-offs, all set in the same shared universe. But none has been more successful than The Flash, which first hit television screens back in 2014. Following the adventures of the titular superhero, the show has gone on to greatly surpass the popularity of its parent show and is now widely considered to be the best of the collected franchise.