One Show, more stories: The characters who deserved a spin-off

Have you ever been so obsessed with a show that it becomes all you think about? Inevitably reaching the point of no return, where you are scrolling through fan theories and TikTok edits until three in the morning? It is often at this point when you stumble upon the best news possible… it has a spin-off! Yet another show, set within the same universe, where you can lose even more hours of sleep. Buffy the Vampire Slayer gave us five more seasons through Angel, The Vampire Diaries produced not one, but two further shows, and The Tracey Ullman Show led to The Simpsons. Unfortunately, there are many shows that are sadly confined to only having produced one series. It was tough to narrow down my list; however, below are my top three characters who I believe deserved a spin-off.

Shadow and Bone – The Crows

In 2019, Netflix announced its adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy, with the decision to incorporate the Six of Crows duology alongside it. The first season was praised for its book accuracy, exceptional casting, and impressive production, from elaborate set designs to hundreds of custom-made costumes. It seemed Netflix had found the next big fantasy hit after the finale of Game of Thrones aired in May that same year.

However, reception soon changed with the release of season two. In an attempt to condense four books into just eight episodes, the original material became increasingly rushed and overcrowded. Major plotlines and emotional moments that had made the books resonate with readers in the first place failed to be translated onto screens. For many fans, one of the biggest problems that arose was the decision to place the Crows alongside the characters of Shadow and Bone, rather than allowing their individual stories to stand on their own, inevitably falling victim to condensed pacing.

The irony that will forever be embedded into this adaptation is that the Crows were arguably popular enough to carry a series on their own. With some of the most perfect casting I have ever seen, and a core group of people who perfectly captured the dynamics of the beloved outcasts, it goes without saying that Netflix failed to hit the mark with Bardugo’s novels. The ultimate heartbreak though? The season two finale had set the Crows up to have their own spin-off show that would seemingly follow the Ice Court heist, the central plot of the first book in the duology, yet was ultimately scrapped due to the cancellation of the initial series and production delays – and that will continue to be the biggest loss of my life.

Grey’s Anatomy – Christina Yang

Sandra Oh chose to leave Grey-Sloan in the season ten finale to explore other acting opportunities. However, I would have loved nothing more than to watch Christina Yang run her own cardiothoracic surgery department in Switzerland, building the career she always deserved without Owen Hunt constantly getting in the way. 

The beauty of this spin-off idea is that it wouldn’t need to be Grey’s Anatomy 2.0. Christina and Meredith, while they may possess similar qualities, are fundamentally two different characters. The show would have been more than capable in establishing its own identity through some not so healthy competition and intense medical stories. Moreover, there could have been less focus drawn to Christina marrying a man she did not need to be with, instead prioritising herself first and foremost. The show could have character crossovers… and may I present to you Teddy Altman. I know there are some of you who believe in Teddina, and that is all I will say on the matter!

Christina Yang left Seattle in the pursuit of more, so what better opportunity than a spin-off to let us see what ‘more’ looked like for her. Having always been a popular fan favourite for her unapologetic ambition and blunt honesty, she certainly had the fan base and standalone narrative potential to have her own TV show.

Teen Wolf – Stiles Stilinski

For me, Teen Wolf is one of those shows where every season is a genuinely entertaining watch. While some fans argue that storylines began to decline by season four, I believe the show as a whole is one of the best I have ever seen. That being said, the season six finale brings with it plenty of opportunities for multiple spin-offs that had the potential to become something more.

Season 6A marks the departure of Stiles Stilinski (Dylan O’Brien) from the show, and while his ending was the most suitable for his character, there was an opportunity to expand it further into his own show through his journey with the FBI. The spin-off could follow his investigative nature with cases that inevitably turn supernatural, with ample opportunities to incorporate other beloved characters into the show (let’s make Thiam happen!). He definitely had the foundations of a spin-off worthy character, whose story could have been told without focusing on Scott and the rest of the pack.

Ultimately, a good spin-off should not serve as simply an excuse to revisit a successful show and make more money. It should allow characters and storylines to be developed beyond what the original series was able to offer viewers. While spin-offs are certainly not guaranteed to be successful, sometimes the best stories are the ones that can be crafted from the characters we already know and love.