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8 Best TV spin-offs: Iconic TV characters who deserve a spin-off

From Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Rosa Diaz to Breaking Bad’s Mike Ehrmantraut, here’s our pick for the most iconic characters from popular TV shows who deserve to headline their own spin-off

8 Best TV spin-offs: Iconic TV characters who deserve a spin-off

List hai toh hit hai

Last Updated: 05.44 PM, Apr 06, 2023

Most iconic shows have characters who leave such an indelible mark with their compelling turns that we hope to explore their world a little more closely. Be it George Costanza from Seinfeld or Detective Rosa Diaz from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, there are more than a few unsung heroes who deserve to headline shows on their own, allowing us a peek into their lives and what makes them tick. So here’s our list of TV characters who surely deserve to get a spin-off.

Arya Stark - Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones may have ended with a divisive finale, but one thing fans can agree on is that Masie Williams’ Arya Stark had one of the most memorable character arcs in the series. Arya’s journey across Westeros and beyond, at a very young age, culminates with her becoming the deadly faceless assassin and the one who eventually kills the Night King. By the end of Game of Thrones, she decides to embark on an adventure to explore the unexplored regions beyond the west of Westeros. Her journey across the seas to the unknown will surely be something that fans would love to experience on the small screen. Who knows, she might even fulfill her lifelong dream of riding a dragon. A show titled West of Westeros could be the ideal spin-off.

Kim Wexler - Better Call Saul

Rhea Seehorn’s immersive portrayal of Kim Wexler, the sharp legal mind and Saul Goodman’s partner-in-crime in Better Call Saul, renders a character that surely deserves a spin-off. In the show, we follow the conflicted character’s journey as she struggles to assemble her motivations and triggers, while crafting a character who’s ethically ambiguous and yet, morally-driven. The spin-off series could delve into the events from Kim Wexler’s past and probably throw light on what made her the damaged yet determined woman with unparalleled resilience and commitment. And since we’re deliberating, why not call this show What would Kim do?

Sameen Shaw - Person of Interest

The criminally-underrated series Person of Interest features some of the most unique and intriguing characters on television, none more so than Sarah Shahi’s Sameen Shaw. The former US army intelligence operative is shown to suffer from Axis II Personality Disorder and alexithymia during her early appearances in the show. However, the deadly assassin forms an unbreakable comradery with the tech genius Harold Finch and his team of vigilantes. But her close personal friendship and eventual romantic tryst with Amy Acker’s Root showcases the evolution of her character. By the end of the series, Shaw is among the few left standing, so she decides to honour her fallen comrades by carrying on their legacy by protecting the citizens of New York. A spin-off titled Root & Shaw featuring Shaw, Fuscoe, Bear, and the machine will certainly create much excitement among fans of the series.

Polly Gray - Peaky Blinders

The late Helen McCrory was outstanding in her portrayal of Polly Gray, the matriarch of the notorious Brummie gangsters, the Peaky Blinders. Long before Cillian Murphy’s Tommy Shelby and his brothers took control of the streets, it was Aunt Poll who laid the foundations for the Blinders. While the Shelby brothers were at the trenches during World War I, Poll kept the Shelby businesses, both legitimate and illegitimate ones, afloat. A series titled Polly’s Wars about a young Polly Gray bringing gangsters to their knees in early 20th century Birmingham would certainly excite fans.

Mike Ehrmantraut - Breaking Bad

Jonathan Banks’ portrayal of Mike Ehrmantraut in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, is one of the most iconic characters ever written for television. Even though Mike is one of the central characters in Better Call Saul, it was Breaking Bad that established him as a pop culture icon. In many ways, it was Walt’s decision to murder Mike in Breaking Bad that completely transforms Walter White from a soft-spoken chemistry teacher to a ruthless drug dealer. Even though Mike is dead in the Breaking Bad universe, who wouldn’t want to see the adventures of a young Mike as a US marine during the Vietnam War. It might even prove to be an upgrade on Rambo. Considering the fact that Ehmantraut’s actions have earth-shattering ramifications, this one can be called Mayhem Mike.

Rust Cohle - True Detective

One of TV’s greatest characters is arguably Matthew McConaughey’s Rust Cohle from True Detective season one. Cohle, the police detective, lacks the necessary people skills but has a sharp eye for crime scene investigation. His greatest asset is his nonchalant attitude and his nihilist lens to process those around him, which frees him from earthly distractions that may hinder his productivity. A prequel series about a young Rust Cohle ruffling feathers and catching bad guys would make for a compelling watch. If anything, it will at least give us more iconic quotes like the ones he delivered in True Detective, and let’s call it the Cohle Tapes.

Rosa Diaz - Brooklyn Nine-Nine

The most badass character in the police sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine is undoubtedly Rosa Diaz. Essayed effortlessly by Stephanie Beatriz, Rosa is a hard-as-nails detective who can reduce hardened criminals to weeping babies. The series finale shows Diaz quitting the police force to become a private investigator — a role that will certainly suit her as she could make her own rules to do her job. Rosa dealing with goons in her unique style in a sequel spin-off would certainly be an exciting prospect for any Brooklyn Nine-Nine fan. We’re thinking of a straight shooter who’s ventured out on her own. So why not call this one Rosa Gone Rogue?

Titus Andromedon - Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Kimmy Schmidt’s hilariously evil and self-centered roomie, Titus Andromedon seems like a character drafted by a comic genius. A flaming queen with Broadway aspirations, Titus fits right into the stereotypical mould assigned to gay men with an inclination for theatre. But he’s also a self-deprecating and pragmatic individual who is only too aware that his talents far exceed his achievements. A solo spinoff for Titus would allow fans a deeper insight into his bizarre and beautiful world, while fleshing out his fleeting romances and crushes that didn’t come through. Titus’ comic timing and one-dimensional outlook of the world is what defines him. But a spin-off would build on his backstory and also demonstrate how he responds to a range of situations and circumstances in his own unique style. Considering this would be a series exclusively on Titus’ life, we’ll have to agree that this would certainly have to be a musical and one that keeps up with his magnanimous personality. So all things considered, let’s call this one All That Sass, the musical.

Well that's the List hai toh hit hai episode for today, until the next one it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

Written by Ryan Gomez and Kunal Guha

Last Updated: 05.44 PM, Apr 06, 2023