Sitcom spin-offs rated better than the original – including a hidden gem

While sitcom spin-offs are often viewed as second-rate imitations of their parent shows, a select few have not only held their own but, arguably, surpassed the originals. From British living rooms to American primetime, these breakaway series have taken minor characters or side plots and spun them into something sharper, funnier, and arguably, better.

This isn’t about sequels or reboots or slightly rebranded revivals. We’re talking true spin-offs – shows that shift focus to supporting characters and give them a fresh setting and storyline. Here are the top standout examples of sitcom spin-offs that not only matched their originators – but, in some cases, totally eclipsed them. Plus, a hidden gem you may have missed that deserves to be rediscovered.

George & Mildred

The ultimate British sitcom spin-off success story, George & Mildred took the bickering landlord couple from Man About the House and handed them their own series – and arguably, the laughs came faster and funnier.

The chemistry between Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy was electric, bringing a deeper anguish to their suburban squabbles.

With tighter scripts, more emotional stakes, and a sharper social satire edge, many viewers consider it the superior show.

It ran for five series and a feature film before Joyce’s tragic death ended the run.

Frasier

A rare example of a spin-off that eclipsed a stone-cold classic, Frasier built on the popularity of its predecessor, Cheers, by relocating Kelsey Grammer’s pompous psychiatrist to Seattle and letting him bounce off a new set of brilliantly drawn characters.

From Daphne and Niles’ slow-burn romance to Martin Crane’s deadpan wisdom, the show found the perfect balance between intellect and slapstick.

With a record-setting 37 Emmys, Frasier wasn’t just successful – it became the gold standard for how spin-offs should be done.

The Green Green Grass

A more divisive entry, The Green Green Grass was Only Fools and Horses spin-off sitcom which saw wheeler-dealer sidekick Boycie (played by John Challis) moving to the countryside.

While it didn’t have the same cultural impact as the original, it carved out its own audience and tone.

The setting change allowed for new dynamics, with rural oddballs clashing with Boycie’s snobbery.

While critics were lukewarm, many fans found comfort in its gentle humour – and its success across four series proves it struck a chord.

Max and Paddy’s Road to Nowhere

Phoenix Nights spin-off saw this road trip comedy duo follow club bouncers Max and Paddy on a string of misadventures.

With Peter Kay and Paddy McGuinness delivering slapstick, set-piece chaos and the kind of quotable dialogue that fuelled pub banter for years, some fans actually prefer this more focused double-act to its ensemble predecessor.

It may have only lasted one series, but it remains a cult favourite.

Mork & Mindy

Spinning off from Happy Days, Mork & Mindy launched Robin Williams into superstardom and added a surreal twist to the 1970s sitcom format.

While Happy Days basked in 1950s nostalgia, Mork & Mindy played with sci-fi absurdity and rapid-fire improvisation.

Williams’ alien antics broke the fourth wall and the sitcom mould – making it a breakout hit in its own right.

Fairly Secret Army

Rarely remembered but worth unearthing, Fairly Secret Army is a spin-off in all but name from The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin.

Written by David Nobbs and starring Geoffrey Palmer as a near-identical version of his “Jimmy” character from Perrin, it offers a deliciously dark take on British bureaucracy and paranoia.

Legal quirks meant the BBC couldn’t use the character name of this hidden gem, but the core of the show is unmistakable.

Script-edited by John Cleese, this Channel 4 oddity was beloved by many fans.

The Jeffersons

Spun off from All In The Family, The Jeffersons followed George and Louise Jefferson as they moved on up — quite literally — from Queens to a luxury high-rise in Manhattan.

What started as a supporting couple in the Bunker household evolved into one of the most beloved and trailblazing sitcoms of all time.

With sharper humour, stronger characters, and fearless takes on race, class, and ambition, The Jeffersons didn’t just match its parent show — it carved out its own legacy over 11 successful seasons, outlasting All In The Family and firmly earning its place in sitcom history.

Laverne & Shirley

Emerging from the Happy Days universe, Laverne & Shirley took two working-class women — introduced as dates for Fonzie and Richie — and gave them a joyous, chaotic spotlight of their own.

Set in 1950s Milwaukee, the show offered a refreshing female-led alternative to its male-dominated predecessor and quickly became a ratings powerhouse.

The physical comedy, heartwarming friendship, and instantly quotable catchphrases made it one of America’s most-watched sitcoms at its peak.

For a while, Laverne & Shirley was more popular than Happy Days — a rare feat for any spin-off.