Some series are so successful that a spin-off is produced. But not every series offshoot can also convince in terms of quality. TECHBOOK picked out a few tops and flops.
When characters in a series are particularly well received by audiences, they are sometimes given their own separate storyline. The resulting series is called a spin-off. There are now numerous series offshoots in different TV genres. But not every spin-off was able to convince with the pilot season. TECHBOOK picked out some tops and flops.
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Spin-off series for the next TV marathon
The Originals
The original series is known and loved worldwide – “The Vampire Diaries”. In eight seasons, fans on Netlix can follow Elena, Damon and Stefan’s love triangle and be drawn into a world of the superhuman, magic and danger. One of the most feared characters is the original vampire Niklaus “Klaus” Mikaelson. Violence, ruthlessness and charm best describe the millennia-old vampire. And his siblings are in no way inferior to him.
That seems to have impressed the audience, because Klaus and his siblings have their own series. The spin-off “The Originals” takes a look behind the scenes of the cold original vampires and shows immortal life with all its ups and downs.
In addition to the constant danger as a member of the quasi-royal family among the vampires, family, friends and love are in the foreground. Because even cold Klaus has a heart somewhere. And in Elijah he has the most loyal brother and partner who would do anything for his loved ones. If you’re up for a superhuman adventure, with lots of drama and some love stories, “The Originals” is definitely a good choice – you can find it on Amazon Video. The spin-off series was even so successful that another spin-off emerged from it – “Legacies”.
Private practice
If you’re into drama and love triangles, but less into the superhuman, you’ll find a great alternative in the well-known spin-off of “Grey’s Anatomy”. “Private Practice” tells the story of Derek’s, aka “McDreamy”, ex-wife, Addison Montgomery, who joins a private practice community in Los Angeles and trades life in rainy Seattle for sunny LA.
Medically speaking, “Private Practice” isn’t quite as intense as the original, but even in this spin-off series there is enough scenes and drama to make the hearts of medicine fans beat faster. The young doctors try to help people in their daily work and at the same time to solve their own private problems. However, professional and private life cannot always be separated. So the drama is inevitable. You can see “Private Practice” on Amazon Video and Disney+.
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Navy CIS: LA
“Navy CIS” has been accompanying its fans for almost 20 years. NCIS investigators led by the strict but sincere leader “Gibbs” investigate cases of murder of Navy members in and around Washington DC. A good portion of action is of course guaranteed, but the series also promises a good portion of humor. The spin-off series “Navy CIS: LA” builds on this success and swaps the tie of the political DC for flip-flops in California – federal agents with a difference.
The partners “G” and “Sam” are the investigator duo and couldn’t be more different. Sam the badass Navy SEAL and G the dry humored lone wolf who has found a new family in Sam and the team at NCIS.
Action and humor are in the foreground here. But relationship dramas are not neglected either. But what is convincing in the spin-off series as well as in the original is the loyalty and conviction with which the team members support and protect each other. There are currently thirteen seasons, which are available on Joyn, Sky and Amazon Video, among others. It is not yet known if there will be another season.
The flops among the spin-off series
Joey
He was one of the most popular characters in the cult series “Friends” – Joey Tribbiani. With Friends ending after Season 10, the spin-off Joey was intended to be a way for production and fans to continue living in the Friends universe.
Unfortunately, the Amazon Video offshoot starring Matt LeBlanc only lasted two seasons before production was halted. The somewhat goofy character from the original series failed to recapture his fan base in his own spin-off.
Katy Keene
The spin-off series comes from the US hit “Riverdale”. It’s about life in the small town of Riverdale, where murder, intrigue and high school are part of everyday life. In addition, the love triangle between the protagonists Archie, Betty and Veronica provides a certain amount of drama that draws Riverdale fans into their spell. The mega hit was followed by a spin-off series – “Katy Keene”.
The spin-off series follows the lives and loves of characters Katy Keene, Josie McCoy, Jorge Lopez/Ginger and “It Girl” Pepper Smith in New York City. The four are up-and-coming artists trying their luck in the city of art and music.
The drama from Riverdale can also be found here. However, fans don’t seem to be as excited about the spin-off series as they’d hoped, as the CW announced its demise less than six months after its premiere. The pilot squadron could not convince the fans. If you still want to take a look, you can find them on Amazon Video.
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CSI: Cyber
The series is the third spin-off of the parent series “CSI: Las Vegas” and can be seen on RTL+. In this offshoot, FBI agent Avery Ryan and her team try to solve cyber crimes. With the focus on computer crime, the series deviates from the previous focus of its predecessors on criminal forensics.
Actually, it says “all good things come in threes”, but in this case the series offshoot could not convince. The “Cyber Crime Division” in Quantico could not captivate the fans like in Las Vegas, Miami or New York. Production was halted after just two seasons.