Spin-off series were a common occurrence in the world of television in the past, but nowadays it seems like this trend is even more popular. Just having one spin-off isn’t enough these days and several shows like ABC’s popular medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, The CW’s The Vampire Diaries and teen drama Pretty Little Liars, went on to inspire two spin-offs each in recent years.
Although most of these spin-offs are not worthy of your time, some of them manage to retain the quality of the original. Don’t worry; you won’t have to use the hit-and-miss method to find them, since we did the dirty work and brought you the five best TV spin-off shows of all time that you should watch. Let’s get going.
CSI: Miami
Original: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
While CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation inspired countless spin-offs, CSI: Miami remains the most popular and, if we dare to say, the best one. The series follows the group of detectives, led by Lieutenant Horatio Caine (David Caruso), who are using modern technology and unconventional methods of investigation to crack the most complicated cases.
Family Matters
Original: Perfect Strangers
Focusing on Perfect Strangers‘ character Harriette Winslow and her family, Family Matters was one of those shows that managed to become more popular than the original. It was a big rating hit with 215 episodes being aired from 1989 to 1998.
Better Call Saul
Original: Breaking Bad
The youngest entry on our list of best TV spin-off series of all time, Better Call Saul is based on Breaking Bad character Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk). It focuses on Goodman’s life before events in Breaking Bad, and has met with similar critical acclaim as the original series.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Original: Star Trek: The Original Series
Premiering 18 years after the original, Star Trek: The Next Generation follows a new generation of Starfleet officers led by the now-iconic Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) who embark on a mission to explore the unknown parts of space. It is now considered one of the greatest television shows of all time.
Frasier
Original: Cheers
The last entry on our list of best TV spin-off series of all time, Frasier, sees Cheers‘ character Dr. Frasier Crane leaving Boston and returning to his home town of Seattle, where he is trying to reconnect with his father and brother. It went on to become one of the most acclaimed and popular sitcoms of all time and winning 37 Emmy Awards during its 11-season run.
