10 TV Shows “Nobody Asked For” That Turned Out Great

Many television fans have long wish lists of shows they would love to see produced. There have previously been campaigns to convince writers, directors, or actors to come together and make a series that audiences have been clamoring for. It may be a show that brings back a well-loved character, adaptations of popular book series, or the expansion of a previously successful world into spin-offs, prequels, or sequels. But what about when the opposite is true, when TV shows that nobody asked for get greenlit, and then, against all odds, they turn out to be great.

Examples of series that managed to do just that include the Psycho prequel show Bates Motel, which took the classic character of Norman Bates, fleshed out his backstory, and transported him into the 21st century. Another example, like Star Trek: The Next Generation, only seems like a classic in hindsight, as it was never assured that a revival of the 1960s original would be able to find success. Or take the HBO Watchmen miniseries for example, nobody was asking for another adaptation of the iconic Alan Moore comic series, but the result ended up being a success with both audiences and critics.

10 Andor

An unexpected Star Wars spin-off

By the time Andor was released 2022, audiences were starting to get frustrated when it came to Star Wars spin-offs. While series like The Book of Boba Fett and Obi-Wan Kenobi delivered on audience expectations, a show about Cassian Andor was not very high on viewer’s wish lists. But the success of Andor proved the benefits of taking chances and that Disney+ could branch out from explorations based primarily on the original trilogy. Andor may not have been what audiences were expecting but, much like The Mandalorian, delivered an incredible viewing experience and demonstrated that the best Star Wars releases today are coming to the small screen.

9 Bates Motel

Added to the Psycho legacy

The Psycho series had already seen three movie sequels that nobody asked for, one failed television adaptation, and a remake, when the Norman Bates prequel series Bates Motel was announced. However, what looked like an unnecessary expansion, led to an interesting and suspenseful psychological investigation that demonstrated there were still interesting stories to tell about a reserved and troubled antagonist first seen by audiences in the 1960 Alfred Hitchcock horror. Over the course of five seasons, Freddy Highmore added new depth to Bate’s character, and Vera Farmiga shined as his possessive and protective mother, in a series that can be enjoyed outside the lofty legacy of the original film.

8 The Boys

The most exciting superhero series around

During a time when audiences are overwhelmed by the sheer amount of superhero content there is to consume, Amazon Prime’s adaptation of Garth Ennis’ The Boys appeared as yet another in a long list of comic book series to receive small screen treatment. That is why it came as such a surprise when The Boys ended up being one of the best shows on television and received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike. Now a successful franchise with several spin-offs, viewers can’t get enough of Homelander, Billy Butcher, and Starlight.

7 Daredevil

Kickstarted Netflix’s street level Marvel shows

Netflix’s Daredevil series was their first Marvel Cinematic Universe show that led to the crossover miniseries The Defenders. Starring Charlie Cox as the titular blind lawyer turned superhero Matt Murdock and Vincent D’Onofrio as crime lord Wilson Fisk, the show moved away from the CGI spectacle of the Marvel movies and instead focused on more realistic street level conflicts. Daredevil was a hit and showcased the viability of the MCU on the small screen, so much so that, following the cancelation of the Netflix Marvel series due to the launch of Disney+ the show is being revived in the upcoming Daredevil: Born Again release.

6 Episodes

Matt LeBlanc’s return to TV

Considering the abysmal reception to the Friends spin-off Joey, it must have been a daunting prospect for Matt LeBlanc to return to television as a fictionalized version of himself in Episodes. An interesting mix of British and American sensibilities, Episodes involves Matt being cast as the lead in a Hollywood adaptation of a successful British sitcom. A unique and fun concept, the show was well-received and remained interesting over its five-season run, as Matt played up his reputation as Joey Tribbiani with humor that melded fact and fiction.

5 Hannibal

Stunning visuals won viewers over

On the surface, the psychological horror series Hannibal looks like a bad idea. The character of Dr. Hannibal Lecter had already been forever enshrined in viewers’ minds with Anthony Hopkins’ creepy portrayal in The Silence of the Lambs and other adaptations of Thomas Harris’ works. However, with stunning visuals, and strong performances by Will Graham and Mads Mikkelsen, the series was able to rise above comparisons to other adaptations and add something new to the lore of this world. The show has garnered cult status and audiences are still campaigning for its revival after it was unfortunately canceled in 2015.

4 Star Trek: The Next Generation

Continuing the legacy of the original series

While today the Star Trek franchise is one of the most successful the world has ever seen, the appeal of Star Trek: The Next Generation when it debuted in 1987 was not so assured. It is true the original 1960s series had gained incredible popularity in syndication, but a new series with a different cast of characters did not have the nostalgic appeal of Captain Kirk, Spock, and the members of the starship Enterprise. The Next Generation had a lot to prove but was well up for the challenge as the show now ranks among the best sci-fi works series ever made and may even outmatch the original.

3 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Brought the Terminator series to the small screen

A television spin-off of the Terminator franchise, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles followed Sarah and her son John Connor four years after the events of Terminator 2: Judgement Day, as they resist Skynet’s attempts to reshape the future and face off against enemies from both the present and later timelines. The series stars future Game of Thrones actor Lena Headey and, despite a strong critical reception, was canceled after just two seasons. Featuring thought-provoking meditations on parenthood and plenty of action, the show’s untimely cancelation was a disappointing blow to audiences.

2 Watchmen

A thought-provoking miniseries sequel

Alan Moore’s Watchmen is probably the most acclaimed comic book series ever and has even ranked among Time’s 100 Best Novels in the English language since 1923. The 2009 Zack Sydner film adaptation received mixed reviews and, in 2019, when the Watchmen TV series was released, audiences weren’t exactly clamoring for further adaptations. However, showrunner Damon Lindelof’s sequel series was a surprise success as the show introduced new characters and wasn’t afraid to make changes and build its own identity. While Alan Moore himself was not a fan of the revival, the miniseries stands as a worthy expansion of its source that tackled difficult themes in a thought-provoking way.

1 Westworld

Expanded upon the original film

The HBO dystopian sci-fi Westworld was based on a mostly forgotten 1973 film version by Jurassic Park writer Michael Crichton. In a list of most people’s dream adaptations, Westworld would rarely get a mention. That’s why it came as such a surprise when Westworld by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy turned out to be the most-thought provoking and mind-bending mystery series on television. While the show did lose its way in later seasons, the level of engagement, theories, and analysis that the first season of the show led to was incredibly impressive considering its humble origins.