7 spin-off shows that made us fall in love with a side character

Creating a show with an alternate perspective or from the POV of a loved character of a widely popular show is an exciting, yet onerous task. But if done well, spin-offs can, sometimes, become more popular than the original—think Frasier, Better Call Saul, and House of the Dragon among others. These shows have put the existing characters into new settings, given them their storyline, and delved deeper into their character development. They captivate the audience and occasionally address the many questions and angles that were probably not addressed in the original.

Here are some of the rare spin-offs that continue to shine bright and will always be a must-watch.

House of The Dragon 

Considering the popularity of the houses in Game of Thrones, we knew it was just a matter of time before one of them got its own show. In 2022, we witnessed the Targaryens rule the land and sea (especially the sky) with their terrifying dragons in the first season of House of the Dragon. Based on George R R Martin’s book, Fire & Blood, the show is set 170 years before Game of Thrones and follows the ancestors of Daenerys Targaryen, with their long white locks and formidable dragons. To watch them rule amid all the action, drama, sex, and dragons, is nothing short of a visual spectacle. It is a great example of a well-written spin-off, and we can't wait for the second season, which comes out this June!

Better Call Saul

There will never be a show like Breaking Bad—stellar writing, unforgettable characters, and a narrative so engaging! It will also be safe to say there will never be a better spin-off than Better Call Saul. Some might call it a gamble, but the makers of the show did the unimaginable with their storytelling. The show focused on the fan favourite, Saul Goodman and his origin story in Albuquerque as he embarks on the journey from a con man to a 'man of the law'. Bob Odenkirk in the titular role is phenomenal. The series also features Michael McKean, Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks, Giancarlo Esposito, and Michael Mando.

Frasier

The critically acclaimed series earned a record 28 Emmy Awards over its lifetime and is hands-down one of the greatest sitcoms ever made. Creating a spin-off of the 11-season-long show, Cheers was certainly a tough act, but Fraiser achieved the impossible. What made the show funnier than the original was its smaller cast comprising only the core characters, making it easier to relate to the storyline. At the heart of the series is psychiatrist Frasier Crane, who returns to his hometown, Seattle as a radio host following the end of his marriage and life in Boston (as seen in Cheers). The story revolves around the upper-class lives of Crane's brother, father, and the many women in their lives.

The Good Fight

If you’re looking to watch an engrossing legal drama, The Good Fight should be your choice. Picking from The Good Wife's finale, the spin-off follows Diane Lockhart as she deals with a major financial blow after getting scammed. The Good Fight follows Lockhart and her goddaughter Maia; they start afresh at the prestigious law firm, Reddick, Boseman, & Kolstad, while navigating the challenges dominated by political and social issues such as the Trump presidency, COVID-19, the #MeToo movement, rising racism and sexism. This coupled with an engaging storyline and stellar performances makes the show relevant and real.

Angel

Created by Joss Whedon, the writer and director of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this series centres on Angel, an Irish vampire seeking redemption in Los Angeles after his human soul is returned to him as punishment for murder. The spin-off was well appreciated, maybe even more than the original show, because Angel seeking atonement for his sins was relatable. Moreover, doing away with the high school drama made the spin-off a better watch than the original. All the characters underwent a transformation, allowing the show to have more depth and dimensions.

Young Sheldon

The series is a spin-off of the popular American sitcom The Big Bang Theory and follows the main character, Sheldon Cooper, and his unpredictable life as a child genius growing up with his family in East Texas. Over the seven seasons, we've gotten to see Young Sheldon evolve into something bigger than Sheldon Cooper, with his family getting to pack in a punch with their own story arc or two! For instance, Sheldon's older brother Georgie, who had a baby with Mandy McAllister. The two got engaged and are set to get married in season seven. And if you're wondering what happens next? Don't worry you'll get to find out soon in the upcoming spin-off of Young Sheldon, which will focus on Georgie and Mandy.

Also Read: Here are the best moments from the first season of the ‘House of the Dragon’

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