The Ultimate List of TV Spinoffs That Will Blow Your Mind

While Hollywood often receives criticism for its abundance of prequels, sequels, and reboots, there is a missed opportunity in the realm of TV show spinoffs. Spinoffs have the potential to be successful, as demonstrated by the achievements of Better Call Saul, which lived up to the high standard set by Breaking Bad. Other spinoffs like Frasier and Angel also earned strong reputations in their own right. Even House of the Dragon has taken the first step in revitalizing the Game of Thrones franchise.

However, truly exceptional spinoff TV shows are rare. Despite having thought-provoking and well-crafted concepts, many promising ideas fail to receive approval for various reasons. These can include continuations or branching off from existing series, resulting in a constant stream of discarded scripts with immense potential. Some spinoffs that were announced to the public but ultimately fell through have left fans wondering about the possibilities that could have been.

10 Bloodmoon (Game Of Thrones)

Just prior to the official announcement of House of the Dragon being given the green light by HBO, the network had originally intended to develop a different spinoff within the Game of Thrones universe. This prequel series, titled Bloodmoon, was set to unfold eons before the events depicted in Game of Thrones and the arrival of the Targaryen dynasty in Westeros. Bloodmoon would have chronicled the initial Long Night and recounted the valiant efforts to defend Westeros during what was known as the Age of Heroes. A remarkable ensemble cast had been assembled for the series, led by the extraordinary Naomi Watts, alongside Josh Whitehouse from Daisy Jones and the Six.

9 Green Arrow And The Canaries (Arrow)

The eighth and final season of Arrow concluded, leaving the door open for a potential spinoff called Green Arrow and the Canaries. This proposed series would have centered around Mia Queen taking on the mantle of the Green Arrow, joined by Laurel Lance and Dinah Drake. In episode 9 of Arrow season 8, titled "Green Arrow & the Canaries," the three heroines embarked on an adventure set in the year 2040, serving as a backdoor pilot for the potential show. Unfortunately, the episode received a lukewarm response and The CW decided not to move forward with the series. Series showrunner Marc Guggenheim attributed this decision to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

8 Audrey's Spinoff (Twin Peaks)

Twin Peaks was not only a significant television series in the '90s but also regarded as one of the greatest TV shows ever created. While the series returned for a third season in 2017, it is important to note that this was not a reboot or a sequel; rather, it continued the story directly. Interestingly, during the '90s, there were plans for a spinoff centered around Audrey Horne, one of the most captivating and beloved characters from the original series. Unfortunately, this idea did not materialize. However, it is believed that this concept served as the inspiration for what eventually became Mulholland Drive.

7 The Farm (The Office)

Despite being one of the most beloved characters on The Office, it's hard to envision Dwight Schrute carrying his own television show. Nonetheless, NBC took a chance by introducing "The Farm," an episode from season 9 of The Office that essentially served as a pilot. The proposed spinoff would have revolved around Dwight and his eccentric family running their beet farm. Unfortunately, "The Farm" received primarily negative reviews, leading NBC to abandon the idea.

6 Aquaman (Smallville)

While Smallville served as the foundation for all the Arrowverse shows and was later interconnected with them through the concept of a multiverse, its true spinoff was intended to be an Aquaman television series. Out of the various Smallville spinoff ideas that were ultimately abandoned, including a Justice League series and a Supergirl show led by Laura Vandervoort, the Aquaman pilot made the most progress. Starring Justin Hartley in the titular role, the pilot was shot and planned to establish a connection with Smallville after introducing Arthur Curry in season 5. However, the series was ultimately scrapped, leading to Justin Hartley being cast as Green Arrow for the sixth season of Smallville instead.

5 The 100: Second Dawn (The 100)

The CW's highly popular show, The 100, enjoyed a successful run for seven seasons. However, despite the anticipation, the network's plans for a prequel titled The 100: Second Dawn never came to fruition. Set 97 years prior to the events of the original series, the prequel would have incorporated "Lost-style flashbacks" to explore the characters' lives before the apocalypse. Unfortunately, the project experienced numerous delays and failed to show significant growth, leading to its cancellation.

4 Windward Circle (Gilmore Girls)

Gilmore Girls was a hugely popular show during its time, and during season 3, an episode titled "Here Comes the Sun" served as a backdoor pilot for a potential spinoff series known as Windward Circle. In this episode, Jess ventures to California to reconnect with his estranged father. Unfortunately, the main obstacle that prevented the spinoff series from being developed further was the high cost associated with shooting on location in Venice Beach. Despite its potential, the series was ultimately scrapped due to these financial constraints.

3 How I Met Your Dad (How I Met Your Mother)

The original spinoff plan for How I Met Your Mother was titled How I Met Your Dad, and it would have starred the director of Barbie, Greta Gerwig, in the lead role. Gerwig, known for her exceptional directing skills, also possesses incredible acting talent and has showcased it in movies like Frances Ha. Although the pilot for How I Met Your Dad was filmed, it received negative feedback from test audiences. Despite CBS's decision not to reshoot, the network abandoned the project. However, Hulu later picked up a similar concept with the spinoff How I Met Your Father, which aired for two seasons before its cancellation.

2 Supernatural: Bloodlines (Supernatural)

Supernatural finally gave rise to a spinoff in the form of the prequel series The Winchesters. However, it met an unfortunate fate as it was abruptly canceled after just one season comprising of 13 episodes. Despite its relatively short run compared to Supernatural's impressive 15 seasons, The Winchesters managed to fare better than the initial failed spinoff endeavor called Supernatural: Bloodlines. In the ninth season of Supernatural, an episode was dedicated to serving as a backdoor pilot for a potential spinoff centered around the "clashing hunter and monster cultures in Chicago." Unfortunately, fans noticed a significant drawback in the episode's ability to captivate viewers with its fresh set of characters, leading to the show's eventual cancellation.

1 The Hall (The Wire)

Despite being widely acclaimed as one of the best TV shows ever made, The Wire struggled with low ratings and received minimal award nominations during its five-season run. When creator David Simon proposed a new series titled The Hall to HBO, following the character Tommy Carcetti, a mayoral candidate introduced in season 3, the network declined due to The Wire's ratings. Fortunately, actor Aidan Gillen made a successful return to HBO as Littlefinger in Game of Thrones, while David Simon went on to create a separate miniseries set in Baltimore called We Own This City. It's important to note that this miniseries was not connected to The Wire.