In the world of entertainment, you’ve probably heard the word spin-off more than once. But do you really know what it means? We’ll tell you what it is, what makes it special, and why there are so many of them.
What is a spin-off?
A "spin-off" refers to a series or film that originates from another one. It takes a character, a secondary storyline, or an unexplored corner of the original world and gives it the spotlight. It can come from, for example, a supporting character who becomes so popular with the audience that they end up getting their own story, from a desire to explore another time period in the protagonist’s life, or from the idea of breathing new life into a concept that works well with different characters and settings.
What makes a spin-off special?
1. It focuses on what was once secondary
Spin-offs generally don’t revolve around the main, well-known protagonists. They take a side character or subplot—stories that were previously in the background—and put them center stage, developing them more deeply and independently.
3. It stands on its own
Even though a spin-off comes from another story and often shares stylistic and thematic elements with the original work, it has its own storyline. So, it makes sense by itself, and you don’t need to know the original to enjoy it.
2. It explores new horizons
Spin-offs also offer the chance to change the tone, style, or focus of the story. Sometimes they’re more serious, other times more light-hearted… They allow creators to explore something different without leaving the universe or straying from the original concept.
Some well-known examples
- On television:
Young Sheldon was born from The Big Bang Theory and shows us the childhood of the eccentric Sheldon Cooper, with a tone very different from the original series. And from Young Sheldon comes a second spin-off, Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage, which continues to expand that secondary universe in more depth. Another example is Joey (2004), which follows the charismatic Joey Tribbiani after the end of Friends (1994), taking him to Los Angeles as he tries to make it as an actor. - In film:
Logan spins off from the X-Men universe and focuses on Wolverine, offering a much more intimate and mature story. Another example is Fantastic Beasts, which expands the Harry Potter world by exploring different time periods and characters, keeping the magic but with a fresh approach.
Why are there so many?
Because they work. A spin-off allows creators and producers to keep exploring a universe the audience already loves, without repeating the same formula. It’s also a good way to test new ideas—ones that might be too risky or too different for the original series—without starting from scratch. If the audience already knows the world or the characters, they’re more likely to keep watching.
Now we know that a spin-off is a fun and creative way to tell new stories within a universe we already know. Some may start out small, but a few have even ended up becoming more popular than the original work.
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