Top 10 Side or Supporting Characters Who Got Their Own Show

“Mork & Mindy” (1978-82)

“Happy Days” famously “jumped the shark” by having Fonzie, well, jump a shark. But it was the introduction of Mork that finally confirmed viewers were no longer watching the same show they started back in 1978. Inspired by the popularity of “Star Wars,” Mork was an extraterrestrial being initially written to be a part of a dream sequence. Robin Williams turned out to be too entertaining to ignore, however, and the episode was reworked to have Mork wiping the memories of those he saw instead. A spin-off, titled “Mork & Mindy,” was conceived shortly thereafter, which followed Mork as he learned more about life on Earth. This uniquely charming sitcom followed in the footsteps of another successful “Happy Days” spin-off - “Laverne & Shirley.”

“Torchwood” (2006-11)

With an over sixty year history under its belt, it may come as a surprise that “Doctor Who”s first spin-off to make it past the pilot stage wasn’t until 2006. The series, titled “Torchwood,” starred futuristic con man Jack Harkness in the leading role, and offered a more adult alternative to its popular predecessor. The character had previously been introduced in the first season of “Doctor Who”s revival series, where he acted as a temporary companion alongside Rose and the Ninth Doctor. Notably, he was the series first LGBTQIA+ character, a trait which would be explored further through his relationships on “Torchwood.”

“Angel” (1999-2004)

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was a teen show sensation, introducing a compelling horror edge to the typical coming-of-age format. And although the series was a hit with all ages, it quickly became clear that there was an untapped potential to explore even darker stories in the universe for a more adult audience. Thus “Angel” was created, a half-neo-noir, half-supernatural thriller centered around the exploits of the human-ensouled vampire of the same name. Typical of Whedon-fronted projects, the show was not without its moments of levity, but was more often praised for its surprisingly harrowing dramatic moments. As the series went on, its plots became more and more complex, often tackling themes of alcohol use disorder, redemption, and mortality.

“The Good Fight” (2017-22)

Just as “The Good Wife” began with Alicia rebuilding her career after a scandal, “The Good Fight” sees Diane Lockhart starting from the bottom after her reputation is destroyed. Thankfully, Diane finds an ally in fellow “Good Wife” alumni, Lucca Quinn, whose firm hires her in the midst of a police brutality case. The series largely did away with “The Good Wife”s emphasis on romance, instead focusing on real world social and political issues. This shifted focus was never more apparent than in the series’ second and third seasons, which introduced delightfully animated segments recapping subjects addressed by the series. A similar sense of whimsy led to a second “Good Wife” spin-off in 2024, this time centered around untraditional attorney, Elsbeth Tascioni.

“Boston Legal” (2004-08)

While some series choose to focus spin-offs on more serious aspects of their created universes, others go in the opposite direction. “Boston Legal” is one of the latter. Although both “The Practice” and “Boston Legal” are considered comedic dramas, “Boston Legal” leaned into the absurdity of its characters far more often than its predecessor. It even had moments where its characters broke the fourth wall! This angle was largely achievable thanks to the new series’ returning characters, Alan Shore and Denny Crane - who were played by James Spader and William Shatner respectively. The pair are individually brilliant, but together they really shine.

“The Jeffersons” (1975-85)

Shining a spotlight on America’s prejudices through its flawed protagonists, “All in the Family” became one of TV’s most influential sitcoms. Archie Bunker, the series’ so-called “lovable bigot,” was a big part of that success, showing the ability of the average man to come to terms with the changing world around them. His neighbor, George Jefferson, acted as a perfect foil, though he notably held his own prejudices about then-modern day living. These would be explored and similarly dismantled in a spin-off titled “The Jeffersons,” which dealt with everything from intra community racism to being transgender. Like Archie and Edith before him, George and his wife maintained a hot and cold dynamic, with Louise acting as the voice of reason following George’s ego-fueled outbursts.

“Daria” (1997-2002)

If you didn’t know that “Daria” was a spin-off, we can’t say we blame you. The show could not be more different from its parent series, the explosively controversial “Beavis and Butt-Head.” While both focus on teen protagonists, and “Daria” even dabbles in violence, the female-fronted successor to “Beavis and Butt-Head” takes a more serious approach to growing up. Daria herself is given new life in the title role, developing into a three-dimensional character with family, friends, and flaws. Toilet humor and crass catchphrases are traded in for biting satire and dryly delivered wit, while later seasons introduced an emotional resonance that was rare for MTV.

“Maude” (1972-78)

“All in the Family” was revolutionary for its time, but still had its limitations. “The Jeffersons” allowed writers to tackle similar social issues from a Black perspective, while “Maude” presented a feminist twist. Starring Bea Arthur as the title character, who had previously featured twice as Edith’s cousin on “All in the Family”, “Maude” was the antithesis of its predecessor. Its comedy had an often darker edge, allowing for more complete turns towards the dramatic, as with the series’ famed abortion episode. Although Maude’s views more closely aligned with its creators than Archie’s had, the series also wasn’t afraid to lampoon her liberalism. Just as much of a cautionary tale, the show frequently highlighted the issues that could arise from faux support and overcompensation.

“Frasier” (1993-2004)

With such a strong ensemble cast, many would’ve been happy to see any of the regular players on “Cheers” get their own series. But we think they made the right decision in choosing Frasier Crane. The Seattle-set sitcom “Frasier” deliberately distanced itself from its parent show, allowing star Kelsey Grammer the chance to develop his character in an entirely new context. As a result, the series became one of the most acclaimed and celebrated spinoffs in the history of television. Decades after its original run, the show still holds, in part due to its timeless focus on human relationships rather than the issues of the day.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Rhoda Morgenstern, “Rhoda” (1974-78)
Mary Tyler Moore’s Neighbor Takes Center Stage in New York City

Christopher Smith / Peacemaker, “Peacemaker” (2022-)
John Cena’s Headstrong Superhero Makes the Move to the Small Screen

Xena, “Xena: Warrior Princess” (1995-2001)
Xena’s Surprise Popularity Helped Her Cheat an Early Death in “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” & Earn Her Own Series

Brak & Zorak, “The Brak Show” (2000-03; 2007)
Everyone’s Favorite “Space Ghost Coast to Coast” Characters Hang out in This Surreal Slice-Of-Life

Leroy Jethro Gibbs, “NCIS” (2003-)
“JAG” Was Successful in Its Own Right, but Pales in Comparison to This Long-Lived Spin-Off & Its Original Protagonist

“Better Call Saul” (2015-22)

Initially envisioned as a more comedic companion to “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul” quickly evolved into a series as tense and emotionally moving as its critically acclaimed predecessor. Centering around Bob Odenkirk’s crooked criminal lawyer, this spin-off sought to answer one pressing question - what leads a man to becoming Saul Goodman? As it turns out, the answer is more complex than one might initially imagine, as the show dives into the intricacies of Jimmy McGill’s romantic, familial, and cartel relationships. Surpassing the expectations of the average prequel, “Better Call Saul” not only gives viewers a look into its title character’s past, but his future, as well as a handful of unseen moments from “Breaking Bad.”

Did you enjoy any of these spin-offs better than their parent shows? Let us know in the comments!