While mostTV spin-offsendeavor to carve out a unique identity away from the original show, some were actually just extra seasons in all but name. Whether it’s due to a character change, entering a new era, or aseries returning after a long absence, there have been plenty of examples of television spin-offs that were de facto continuations of their predecessor rather than a completely different entityfocusing on a side character, prequel story, or new setting.
Some of these were among thebest spin-offs of all time, but despite being marketed as separate shows, they were ultimately just the next chapter of the original series. With most of these shows maintaining their main characters, expanding upon key plot points, and directly referencing what came before, it’s impossible not to recognizehow much these series owe to the legacy of the original show.
10The Conners (2018 - Present)
Original Show: Roseanne (1988 - 1997, 2018)
The Connerswas perhaps the only spin-off series that was made with the singular purpose of excluding a beloved character from its cast. As a direct continuation ofRoseanne,The Connerswas supposed to be the show’s eleventh season, although these plans were halted after the lead actress, Roseanne Barr, posted a series of offensive tweets that saw the network reimagine the show without her. Instead, the result wasThe Conners, a spin-off that revealedRoseanne had died of an opioid overdose in the pilot episode.
The Connerstook some time finding its feet, as the previous show had relied so heavily on Barr’s contribution. However, as the years went on,The Connerscarved out its own unique identity, and supporting characters came into the limelight to help turn the series into a hit. By focusing on the Conners family’s ever-evolving dynamics, this sitcom is full of heart and humor.
9Frasier (2023 - 2024)
Original Show: Frasier (1993 - 2004)
The 2023 version ofFrasiercontinued directly from the original show to the point that the creators did not even decide to change its name despite being a separate series. With Kelsey Grammer back as the unlucky-in-love psychotherapist Dr. Frasier Crane, this spin-off saw the titular character move back to Boston as he embarked on a third act of his life and attempted to deepen his relationship with his son, Freddie. With the originalFrasieralready beginning a spin-off of the popular sitcomCheers, this newFrasierwas actually a spin-off of a spin-off.
WhileFrasierfollowed the misadventures of its title character and his new job as a Harvard professor, there was one magic missing ingredient that left viewers disappointed. Without the inclusion of David Hyde Pierce as Frasier’s brother Niles, it always felt like there was something missing from this mixed bag of a revival. Sadly, theFrasierreboot was not the same kind of astounding success as the original, and it was canceled after just two seasons.
8Twin Peaks: The Return (2017)
Original Show: Twin Peaks (1990 - 1991)
The late filmmaking visionary David Lynch and his co-creator Mark Frost helmed one of the most influential series of the 1990s with their murder mysteryTwin Peaks. This intriguing and dreamlike series pushed serialized television into new territory andlaid the groundwork for everything fromLosttoThe Sopranos. While the original series ended with an ominous promise, as Laura Palmer told Agent Cooper, “I’ll see you in 25 years,” nobody realized that this would actually come true.
Twin Peaks: The Returncame out more than a quarter of a century after the original show ended and was essentially season 3 of the iconic series. With the majority of the living actors returning to reprise their roles, in many ways,Twin Peaks: The Returnactually surpassed the original as Lynch pushed his unique and surreal style further than he had ever allowed. As 18 episodes of pure creativity,Twin Peaks: The Returnwas a satisfying conclusion that resolved mysteries that viewers had been thinking about for decades, while also posing some new questions.
7Galactica 1980 (1980)
Original Show: Battlestar Galactica (1978 - 1979)
TheBattlestar Galacticafranchise had an unusual production history. The original show ran for just one season because it was immediately revived for a spin-off that was essentially a lower-budgeted season 2.Galactica 1980was set five years after the final episode of the original show. This change allowed the network to weed out unnecessary characters and put forward changes that would make the show cheaper to make (viaTV Obscurities.) While ABC had decided to cancel the original series, a letter campaign from fans convinced them to rethink this decision and quickly greenlit another season under a new name.
While there was clearly enough ofa dedicated fanbase to convince ABC to makeGalactica 1980, the show still performed poorly and, like its predecessor, only had one season. It was not untilBattlestar Galacticawas rebooted entirely as a re-imagined series in 2003 that it fully got its due as a sci-fi classic. WhileGalactica 1980only managed to receive a brief, 10-episode run, the appeal of this franchise has only grown since as it continued with more series, films, comic books, and video games.
6Dexter: New Blood (2021 - 2022)
Original Show: Dexter (2006 - 2013)
It’s no secret that the series finale ofDexterwas among the most disappointing conclusions to a TV series ever, as viewers were left dissatisfied by what’s been termed “Lumberjack Dexter.” With so many aspects of Dexter’s story left unanswered and him never having truly faced the consequences of his life as a serial killer, viewers held out hope that the show would one day return. After an eight-year gap, this finally came true with the release ofDexter: New Blood,a sequel series that picked up Dexter’s new life under a secret identity.
While several major characters were missing fromDexter: New Bloodas it changed its setting from sunny Miami to the snowing town of Iron Lake, New York, this spin-off was essentiallyDexterseason 9. Although Michael C. Hall seamlessly slipped back into the role of Dexter, this series received mixed reviews and, once again, left viewers with a divisive finale. Luckily, that was not the end for theDexterfranchise, as the prequel seriesDexter: Original Sinwas a hit with viewers, and Hall will make a full return in the upcomingDexter: Resurrection.
5Steven Universe Future (2019 - 2020)
Original Show: Steven Universe (2013 - 2019)
The originalSteven Universewas a powerful coming-of-age story about a half-gem, half-human hybrid reckoning with his own identity while fighting to protect the world from his own kind. As a thoughtful and progressive series,Steven Universeaddressed important issues around LGBTQ+, gender, and identity. While the main narrative wrapped up after the conclusion of the show and its TV filmSteven Universe: The Movie, Rebecca Sugar brought it back for one final season with the epilogue spin-off seriesSteven Universe Future.
Steven Universe Futurewas an enjoyable addition to the series and allowed for a moment of quiet reflectionon all the Gems had gone through. Without the threat of the Diamonds hanging over their heads, Steven, the Gems, and the residents of Beach City were able to focus on everyday problems and come to terms with their new peaceful existences. This was an interesting series that allowed us to reconnect with the characters away from the world-ending threat they had been plagued by throughout the original show.
4Dragon Ball Z (1989 - 1996)
Original Show: Dragon Ball (1986 - 1989)
While most Western viewers were first introduced to the martial arts champion Goku in the seriesDragon Ball Z, this legendary anime was a direct successor to the originalDragon Ballshow. Following on directly from the original series,Dragon Ball Zfeatured a time skip that saw Goku carving out a new life as a father to his son Gohanbefore facing new, extraterrestrial threats. With both series being adapted from Akira Toriyama’s originalDragon Ballmanga, this was a spin-off in name only, as the name merely signified the show entering a new, more mature, action-driven era.
Dragon Ball Zmaintained practically all the notable characters from the originalDragon Ballseries, although the threats became even more deadly, and the introduction of Goku’s Saiyan heritage deepened the series' rich mythology. With the first episode introducing Goku’s long-lost brother in an event that kickstarted a galaxy-traversing adventure,Dragon Ball Zrepresented a major turning point in the franchise and helped turn this anime into a global phenomenon that continues to this day.
3Saved by the Bell: The College Years (1993 - 1994)
Original Show: Saved by the Bell (1989 - 1993)
The NBC teen sitcomSaved by the Bellshowcased the highs and lows for students and faculty at the Bayside High School in Los Angeles. As a lighthearted show that also touched on serious issues like drug use, drunk driving, and even death,Saved by the Bellwas a flagship series of the 1990s whose characters carved out an important place in popular culture. While the original show ran for just four seasons, audiences followed major characters like Zack, Screech, A.C. Slater, and Kelly Kapowski into college.
Saved by the Bell: The College Yearswas essentially just more seasons of the original show, but the change in setting and older characters meant it could address more mature subject matters. This slight change in tone meant the show was moved from airing on Saturday mornings to a primetime spot on Tuesday evenings. With just one season,Saved by the Bell: The College Yearsdid not have the same kind of cultural impact as its predecessor.
WhileThe Walking Deadhas grown into a sprawling franchise with several spin-offs and sequel series, it was the miniseriesThe Walking Dead: The Ones Who Livethat was essential to the original show’s 12th season in all but name. By continuing the franchise’s main storyline with Rick Grimes and the katana-wielding warrior Michonne,The Ones Who Livefinally picked up on long-festering mysteries and answered loose ends never addressed in the show. Byallowing Rick’s character arc to come to an end,The Ones Who Livewas a necessary addendum to his journey.
With Rick’s fate having been left unclear sinceThe Walking Deadseason 9 and Michonne embarking on a quest to locate him in season 10,The Ones Who Liveis directly dealing with unfinished business from the original show. This made this spin-off feel like an important extra chapter rather than a new adventure like in other spin-offs inThe Walking Deadfranchise.
1Star Trek: Picard (2020 - 2023)
Original Show: Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987 - 1994)
While the first two seasons ofStar Trek: Picardworked well as a self-contained spin-off focused on the adventures of Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) with mostly new characters, by its third and final season, it had essentially turned intoStar Trek: The Next Generationseason 8. This was a welcome progression for the series, as longtime viewers were eagerly awaiting the return of more classic characters as the old crew assembled to face a new threat.
With the likes of Riker, Troi, Worf, Geordi, Data, and Beverly Crusher all back,Star Trek: Picardseason 3 felt like a real reunionwhose story structure even mimicked that of the previous show. Instead of just some quick cameos, this season allowed for some real character-driven nostalgia that was able to rectify some of the mistakes of the past. WhileStar Trek: Picardbegan as a deconstruction of its title character, by the end it became a powerful tribute to the legacy ofStar Trek: The Next Generation.
