Summary
There are multipleTV show remakesthat, in theory, should’ve been terrible but are actually absolutely great. Many ofthe best TV shows of all timeare remakes, but the definition of remake has varied.Some remakes reuse the same concept as the original but introduce new interpretations of audiences’ favorite characters, likeThe Office, whereas others recreate the same story and personalities but with a few detail changes, such asShameless.
Generally, a TV show is considered a remake if it doesn’t add to the original’s lore and instead adapts the premise in a new and interesting way.Some even change media format, and manyTV show remakes are better than the movieor video game they are based on. It’s quite common for American remakes of British TV shows to be incredibly successful, although this isn’t an exclusive rule. On paper, so many TV show remakes are doomed to fail, but they are actually executed brilliantly.
10 Great British Remakes of American TV Shows
Though audience members more frequently see American remakes of British shows, sometimes it goes the other way, and the shows are solid.
The Office
Cast
This mockumentary comedy series observes the mundane and humorous daily lives of employees at the Scranton branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. It offers insights into office dynamics, personalities, and the eccentric behavior of both management and staff, depicting an ordinary workplace with extraordinary characters.
The Officeis one ofthe best sitcoms of all time, and while the British original is still an amazing watch, the American interpretation is even better. Ricky Gervais’ David Brent is one of the cringiest TV characters to date, so it’s hard to believe that anyone could ever match his energy. However,Steve Carell as Michael Scott astonishingly manages to make audiences even more uncomfortable than Brent could ever imagine.The OfficeUK is very much a product of its environment, and the US remake should’ve flopped.
British humor often doesn’t translate to American audiences, butThe Officeborrows from the UK and also implements US comedy to create a fascinating hybrid.
There’s no doubt thatThe Officetook some time to find its feet, and the pacing of season 1 is off. The show’s mistake is trying too hard to copy the original. In fact, the pilot episodes of the UK and US versions are essentially word for word the same.However, it does come into its own in season 2, which is mainly because ofThe Office’s castand the development of its characters. British humor often doesn’t translate to American audiences, butThe Officeborrows from the UK and also implements US comedy to create a fascinating hybrid.
10 Best American Adaptations Of British TV Shows
American U.S. TV adaptations are often quite successful with their takes on original British U.K. shows, but which are the best this side of the pond?
The Tick
The Tick is a superhero comedy series based on the comic book created by Ben Edlund, set in a world where superheroes have been real for decades, an accountant with no superpowers realizes a supervillain owns his city. As he struggles to uncover this conspiracy, he falls in league with a strange blue superhero. Accompanied by his sidekick Arthur, the Tick will attempt to remember who he was before he was a hero, and attempt to make a difference in their corrupt city.
Superhero comedies are difficult to popularize, but years after its end,The Tickstill receives glowing reviews from audiences
The 2016 remake ofThe Tickis rather different from the original, especially visually. The 1994 series is animated, whereas Amazon’s interpretation is live-action, with Peter Serafinowicz taking on the role of the titular character.The remake uses the facetious humor and action-packed sequences the animation is famous forand amazingly creates something so overly ironic and cheesy that it becomes good.The Tick’s special effects aren’t to the same standards as a blockbuster, but that is a part of the show’s charm overall.
Amazon’s cancellation ofThe Tickin 2019is still a massive disappointment. Superhero comedies are difficult to popularize, but years after its end,The Tickstill receives glowing reviews from audiences. Season 1 has a slow start, granted, but many big TV shows’ earlier installments aren’t their best either.The Tickoffers representation in the superhero genre that is neither Marvel nor DC, and while there are now shows likeThe Boysto fill that gap, it’s still a shame that such a brilliant remake only has 22 episodes.
Shows To Watch If You Like The Boys
The Boys is a quirky superhero show that critiques the genre. If you enjoyed watching this Amazon Prime show, check out these series.
Shameless
Shameless is a Black Comedy, Family Drama created by Paul Abbott and starring William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum, and Justin Chatwin. The premise follows the Gallagher family and their closest friends as they deal with a not-so-helpful father, Frank Gallagher. His children each find their own path, growing into their own flawed people without much guidance or help from the family patriarch.
Shamelessis a fantastic and rare example of a British TV show remake with just as many seasons as the original. Both versions focus on the Gallaghers, a family who live on the breadline and constantly attempt to keep each other going. There are somedifferences between the UK and US versions ofShameless, but the overall theme and message of the show remain the same.However, some storylines and character traits are recycled, such as Debbie’s pregnancy, Fiona running the house, and Frank being a useless parent to his children.
Shamelessis another TV show with a distinctively British aura,and it seemed impossible that an American remake could achieve the same popularity. However,with a bigger production budget and incredible performances from the likes of William H. Macy, Jeremy Allen White, and Emmy Rossum,ShamelessUS proves itself to be just as strong. Even whenEmmy Rossum leavesShamelessafter season 9, it manages to keep itself afloat, and it’s very deserving of its astonishing number of award nominations.
Dynasty
A reboot of the 1980s soap opera, Dynasty is a modern soap/comedy series that follows two brothers who discover their father is set to marry one of their employees, and they attempt to sabotage it. Failing in their attempts, they create a new and more cunning rival that seeks to make it on her own - all the while, additional family members return to complicate life at Carrington Atlantic.
2017’sDynastyis often considered a reboot, but technically, it is actually a remake. This is becauseDynastyupdates many elements of the 1981 original, but it ensures it stays true to the same basic concept.The show still follows the wealthy Carrington family, except the show’s setting is moved from Denver to Atlanta. While the characters in both versions share the same names, except for a few spelling changes, the details of their personalities and lives differ. For example, the lead in the latest interpretation ofDynastyis now Fallon, as opposed to Blake.
The biggest change, however, is the overall tone
The 1980s original is also guilty of being homophobic, but in the 2017 remake, Blake no longer has any issue with Steven being gay. The biggest change, however, is the overall tone.A soap opera being redefined as a straightforward drama doesn’t sound hopeful, butDynastymakes it work. The show keeps the heart of the original close, but it isn’t afraid to be gritty and realistic either.Dynastyis one ofthe CW’s best TV shows, but the only criticism is that it finished without answering certain questions about its storylines.
Dynasty: 10 Questions That Remain Unanswered Now That It’s Cancelled
Dynasty was cancelled after five seasons, and while the show was able to wrap up plenty of storylines, some things are still unresolved.
One Day at a Time
One Day at a Time is a comedy that originally aired on CBS between 1975 and 1984. It follows a recently divorced mother who raises her two kids in Indianapolis. The original series starred Bonnie Franklin, Pat Harrington, Valerie Bertinelli, and Mackenzie Phillips, but the show was also rebooted in 2017. The reboot ran for four seasons and centered on three generations of a Cuban-American family.
One Day at a Timeis a sitcom based on the 1975 release of the same name.The overall structure of the show remains the same in both versions and follows the life of a single mother and her two teenagers. In the present day, such a simple idea is so overdone that it’s hard to imagine why it’d be revisited. However, in the 2017 remake, the characters are significantly more developed. Netflix’s version is a reimagining but with a Latino cast. Racism is a prominent topic of conversation throughout the show, often led by veteran Penelope Alvarez.
Homophobia is another notable subject, and Elena’s discovery of her sexuality is one of the show’s best storylines. But at its heart,One Day at a Timeis still a comedy about familial bonds. Whilethe show is revamped to reflect modern times and relevant societal problems,it never feels unnatural.One Day at a Timeoffers parenting adviceto audiences in a feel-good way, and even when its characters are heartbroken with a world that seems to be working against them, they always come through for one another.
One Day At A Time Season 5 Updates: Why The Sitcom Was Cancelled
One Day At A Time is a popular sitcom that ended in 2020 but here’s why it was canceled before reaching a fifth season, and if it could be revived.
House of Cards
Based on the novel of the same name by Michael Dobbs, House of Cards follows unscrupulous politician Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) as he makes ruthless attempts to further his career. When he’s passed over for an appointment as Secretary of State, Underwood decides to get ahead by any means necessary. His talent for manipulation and pragmatism sees him climb the political ladder despite his total lack of moral fiber.
is another TV show that borrows its concept from elsewhere, but its more intricate details are different. It is an adaptation of the British miniseries and the Michael Dobbs novel, both of which have the same name. However,the US version ofHouse of Cardsis significantly more dramatic and tense than its predecessor.Netflix’s remake runs until season 6, whereas the UK original only consists of four episodes. Of course, the political details are completely different, but the themes of morality and power are still apparent.
With such culturally specific source material,House of Cardsinitially had little hope, but the US interpretation improves upon certain moments from both the original and the book.Every person Frank and Claire kill inHouse of Cardsbecomes the subject of a shocking scene that puts audiences on edge, but their deaths feel far more impactful. Because 2013’sHouse of Cardshas more episodes to enjoy, there are no spoilers from the original to encounter, which makes the journey to the White House that much more nerve-wracking.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Last Airbender follows a young boy, the Avatar, who embarks on a quest to master the four elemental powers. Tasked with saving a world engulfed in war, he must confront a relentless adversary determined to thwart his mission.
Avatar: The Last Airbender’s live-action remakemay receive mixed reviews, but it is still generally a solid TV show.The animatedAvatar: The Last Airbenderis a legendary piece of television,so the remake is immediately under a lot of pressure to be just as good. However, despite this, the remake still holds up by itself. Aang’s journey to end the tyranny facing the Fire Nation is still the primary focus of the show, but the story is enriched in a way that is only achievable in live-action.
Gordon Cormier nails Aang’s facial expressions and body language beautifully
Netflix’s remake presents certain scenes in far more detail than the animated original. For example, the destruction of the Southern Air Temple is very intricately displayed, and the moment is quite jarring overall. However, this makes the show’s overarching tone even more tense and dramatic. Gordon Cormier nails Aang’s facial expressions and body language beautifully, which makes his more profound moments easier to relate to.Because of the dedicated audience base, anyAvatar: The Last Airbenderremake is set up for failure, but the 2024 version manages to encapsulate the magic well.
Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 - Cast, Story & Everything We Know
Netflix’s epic live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender finally premiered in February 2024, now it will return in additional seasons.
Ghosts (US)
Ghosts is a comedy series about Samantha and Jay, who convert a country estate into a bed-and-breakfast. Unbeknownst to them, the house is inhabited by ghosts of former residents, visible only to Samantha. The show blends humor with supernatural elements as the couple navigates their unusual challenges.
The US remake ofGhostsis arguably just as good as the UK original. The hilarious sitcom focuses on married couple Samantha and Jay and the wacky group of spirits that reside in the house they inherit.The originalGhostsis hugely popular in Britain, but the American interpretation of it manages to recreate the same appealand intrigue fantastically. However, some parts of the US show make it stand out. For example, there is a lot more fornication between the ghosts, something that the original doesn’t touch upon as much.
It relies more on sexual humor in general, which could have been a risky decision, but it pays off. However, the show also delves away from its source, too. For example,theupcomingGhostsseason 4 twistis set to mix things up massively. The idea of a household full of argumentative ghosts and their living roommates is an interesting concept, but the remake achieves the amazingly high standard of the British original.
Ghosts Changed One Key Part Of The Original British Show For The Better
Although CBS' Ghosts keeps a lot of the original British sitcom’s story intact, one big change that the US show made soon proved a major improvement.
Bel-Air
A gritty and more grounded reimagining of the ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Bel-Air stars Jabari Banks as Will Smith. After falling afoul of a drug lord and his gang in his native West Philadelphia, Will Smith moves to a gated community in Bel-Air with his wealthy Aunt Vivian (Cassandra Freeman) and Uncle Phil (Adrian Holmes). Not only must Will adjust to his new environment, but he’s also forced to deal with his past in order to embrace his future.
The remake ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airis wildly different from the Will Smith sitcom in terms of genre and tone, but it still focuses on the same core story.Bel-Airis a reimagining of Will’s move from West Philadelphia to his aunt and uncle’s home, but is far grittier and veers away from comedy.The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airtackles deep issuesof racism and cultural divide, but it’s always in a lighthearted way, and by the end of the episode, the issue is often swept away.Bel-Airinstead approaches these problems head-on in a painfully realistic way.
At a glance, such an abruptly truthful interpretation of a sitcom that is known as a feel-good watch shouldn’t translate well.Bel-Air’s uneasy atmosphere and reflection of societal standards feel like a selection of deleted scenes fromThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,looking at the fallout of the events of certain episodes after everyone’s smiles have dropped. The core personalities ofBel-Air’scharacters are still the same, but the meaning of the show is completely different. Despite the stunning contrast in the two shows,Bel-Airis still an endearing watch and a show worth investing in.
Bel-Air Cast Guide: How Each Character Compares To Fresh Prince
Bel-Air’s cast and characters dramatically take over the 1990s sitcom’s iconic roles, so here’s how they compare to their Fresh Prince counterparts.
Veep
When former U.S. Senator Selina Meyer becomes Vice President of the United States, she finds that it is less like what she hoped for, and more what people warned her it would be.
Veepis one of very few TV show remakes with a name different from its inspiration. It is an American reimagining of the hilarious British political comedyThe Thick of It, but one thing that doesn’t change is the use of satirical humor.VeepandThe Thick of Itboth come from the mind of Armando Iannucci, which is why both shows’ jokes and gags have a similar tone.The Thick of Itand its iconic main character, Malcolm Tucker, are both quite niche concepts. Therefore,Veepfaced much concern that it wouldn’t have the same impact in the US.
However,Veep’s critical acclaim and 17 Primetime Emmys prove otherwise. While the term remake is used very loosely, the similarities betweenVeepandThe Thick of Itare visible. Amy Brookheimer can be compared to Oliver Reeder, two aides whose personal lives are constantly sacrificed for the sake of their political leader, for example. The only character counterpart who is missing is, sadly, Tucker.The ridiculous storylines that revolve around all kinds of PR stunts and the makeshift solutions for them are a staple ofThe Thick of It,and this quality is somethingVeepreplicates perfectly.
