TV Shows With International Remakes

I’ve noticed that TV shows are often remade in different countries, and it’s really interesting to see how it works. Basically, a network will take a show that’s done well somewhere else and create their own version for local viewers, keeping the main ideas the same. It happens with all sorts of shows – from funny workplace comedies to gripping crime dramas. Producers are always looking around the world for ideas that have already proven to be popular. What’s cool is that these remakes usually incorporate local culture and customs, while still feeling true to the original show’s heart.

‘The Office’ (2001–2003)

This British comedy, filmed like a documentary, follows the everyday lives of workers at a paper company in Slough. Created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, it became hugely popular with critics thanks to its awkward and funny style. It led to an American version starring Steve Carell, and similar shows were also made in France, Germany, and Canada. Many consider the original series to be a groundbreaking show that shaped the way mockumentaries are made on TV today.

‘Yo soy Betty, la fea’ (1999–2001)

This popular Colombian soap opera centers around a smart, but somewhat clumsy, woman who works in the fashion industry. It became a huge international success, even earning a Guinness World Record as the most successful telenovela ever. The story has been adapted for television in over twenty countries, including the American series ‘Ugly Betty’ and the Mexican show ‘La fea más bella’. Viewers around the world were drawn to its message of finding beauty within and working hard to achieve your goals.

‘Shameless’ (2004–2013)

This British comedy drama, created by Paul Abbott, follows the often-turbulent lives of the working-class Gallagher family in Manchester. The show ran for eleven seasons, gaining recognition and awards for its realistic depiction of poverty and family life. It proved so popular that it was remade in both the United States, starring William H. Macy, and Turkey, where the adaptation ‘Bizim Hikaye’ found a large audience.

‘The Bridge’ (2011–2018)

This gripping crime series, known for its Scandinavian noir style, starts with the discovery of a body on the bridge linking Sweden and Denmark. The story centers around detectives from both countries collaborating to solve challenging cases. The show became incredibly popular, leading to remakes set in various locations, including the US-Mexico border, the UK, France, and even Malaysia and Singapore.

‘The Killing’ (2007–2012)

This Danish crime drama centers around Detective Sarah Lund and her investigations of complex murder cases in Copenhagen. The show is praised for its moody atmosphere and in-depth look at how crime impacts society. It was adapted for American audiences as ‘The Killing,’ set in Seattle. The original series played a key role in popularizing the Nordic noir style of storytelling in the late 2000s.

‘BeTipul’ (2005–2008)

This Israeli TV series follows a psychologist and the conversations he has with his patients each week. It’s filmed simply, with most of the action taking place in one room, and emphasizes realistic dialogue and strong emotions. HBO created an American version called ‘In Treatment,’ with Gabriel Byrne in the lead role. The show has also been remade for television in several other countries, including Argentina, Italy, and Russia.

‘Prisoners of War’ (2010–2012)

This Israeli series tells the story of soldiers returning home after seventeen years as prisoners of war. It delves into the emotional and psychological scars they carry, and how their captivity affects their loved ones. The show is well-known as the original inspiration for the popular American series ‘Homeland’, and has also been adapted for television in Russia as ‘Prizonieri’ and in India as ‘P.O.W. Bandi Yuddh Ke’.

‘Skins’ (2007–2013)

‘Skins’ was a British TV show that realistically depicted the lives of teenagers growing up in Bristol as they navigated their final years of high school. What set it apart was its use of young actors and writers, which made the stories feel authentic. While MTV created an American adaptation in 2011, it only ran for a single season. The original series is still remembered today for its honest and often challenging look at teenage life.

‘Queer as Folk’ (1999–2000)

Created by Russell T. Davies, this British series followed the lives of three gay men in Manchester. It was celebrated for its honest and realistic portrayal of gay life as the millennium approached. The show gained popularity and was later adapted for American audiences, first with a five-season run on Showtime set in Pittsburgh, and again with a new version that premiered in 2022, updating the story for today’s viewers.

‘Married… with Children’ (1987–1997)

This American comedy series centers on the Bundys, a quirky and often chaotic family living just outside of Chicago. It was a popular show on Fox, known for turning the typical, picture-perfect family sitcom on its head. The show proved successful internationally, with remakes created in several countries, including Russia (‘Schastlivy Vmeste’), as well as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Argentina.

‘Desperate Housewives’ (2004–2012)

I recently finished watching this series, and it’s a really compelling blend of humor and drama, all unfolding amongst the seemingly perfect residents of Wisteria Lane. It was a huge hit when it originally aired, and honestly, it felt like it single-handedly brought the prime-time soap opera back to life. What’s fascinating is how widely popular it became – it wasn’t just an American success! They created a Latin American version, ‘Amas de Casa Desesperadas,’ and even adapted it for audiences in Turkey and Nigeria, tailoring the stories to fit those cultures. It’s a testament to the show’s core appeal that it resonated so broadly.

‘Modern Family’ (2009–2020)

This funny, documentary-style sitcom centers on three different parts of the Pritchett family who all live in Los Angeles. It’s won many Emmy Awards and is known for its great cast and feel-good comedy. The show has been adapted for television in several countries, including Chile, Greece, and Iran. While the basic family relationships stay consistent, each international version changes the characters to better reflect the culture and customs of that country.

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)

I was completely hooked by the show about the chemistry teacher who started making drugs – it really is one of the best TV series ever! The way the story unfolded and the characters grew was just incredible, and it gained fans all over the world. I was excited to hear they did a Spanish version, ‘Metástasis’, filmed in Colombia. It basically followed the same story, but they moved everything to Bogotá and changed the main character’s name to Walter Blanco. It was cool to see a familiar story in a new setting!

‘Gossip Girl’ (2007–2012)

This popular teen series follows the glamorous lives of rich teenagers on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. It quickly became a cultural hit, famous for its stylish fashion and surprising storylines. The show’s success led to international adaptations, like versions created in Mexico (‘Gossip Girl Acapulco’) and Thailand, all of which centered around a mysterious blogger revealing the secrets of privileged young people.

‘Criminal Justice’ (2008–2009)

This British legal drama tells the story of someone navigating the complicated criminal justice system after being accused of a crime. Critics loved how realistic it was, and it won multiple BAFTA awards. It’s been remade in other countries, including as the HBO limited series ‘The Night Of’, a South Korean show called ‘One Ordinary Day’, and an Indian adaptation available on a streaming service.

‘Broadchurch’ (2013–2017)

This British crime drama centers around a close-knit seaside town rocked by the death of a young boy. Detectives played by David Tennant and Olivia Colman investigate the tragedy. The story proved popular internationally, inspiring an American adaptation called ‘Gracepoint’ – again starring David Tennant, but with an American accent – and a French version titled ‘Malaterra’, which followed a similar storyline.

‘Life on Mars’ (2006–2007)

This British show follows a police officer who unexpectedly travels back in time to the 1970s following a car crash. It’s a blend of classic crime investigation, science fiction, and a look back at the decade. The series proved popular enough to be remade for American audiences with stars like Jason O’Mara and Harvey Keitel, and also spawned international adaptations in countries including South Korea, Russia, and the Czech Republic.

‘Mistresses’ (2008–2010)

‘Mistresses’ is a British drama about the complex lives and friendships of four women. The show gained popularity for its dramatic storylines and portrayal of female bonds. It was later remade in both the United States, with Alyssa Milano starring in the four-season ABC adaptation, and South Korea, where it became a darker, mystery-focused thriller.

‘Being Human’ (2009–2013)

This show, a supernatural comedy-drama, centers around a ghost, a vampire, and a werewolf who are roommates in Bristol. The original British series gained a dedicated following by humorously portraying the challenges these creatures face while trying to fit into everyday life. A popular American adaptation then aired for four seasons on Syfy. Both the British and American versions of the show received positive reviews for their well-developed characters and fresh approach to supernatural themes.

‘House of Cards’ (1990)

This British political thriller, based on a novel by Michael Dobbs, centers around a politician who will stop at nothing to gain power. It originally aired as a miniseries and served as the inspiration for the popular American series ‘House of Cards’ starring Kevin Spacey, which became a streaming television hit. Both versions of the show are known for their realistic, often pessimistic, portrayal of politics and for characters who directly address the audience.

‘Doctor Foster’ (2015–2017)

This popular British thriller centers around a doctor, played by Suranne Jones, who begins to suspect her husband is cheating. The show became a huge success, generating a lot of conversation about infidelity and getting even. It’s been adapted for television in multiple countries, notably South Korea with ‘The World of the Married,’ which achieved record-breaking viewership. Versions have also been made in France, Turkey, and India.

‘Luther’ (2010–2019)

This British crime drama features Idris Elba as a gifted detective haunted by his own demons. The show is famous for its bleak atmosphere and the intense connection between the detective and a ruthless killer. It’s been successfully adapted internationally – South Korea released a version called ‘Less Than Evil’ in 2018, and India followed with ‘Rudra’ starring Ajay Devgn in 2022.

‘Good Doctor’ (2013)

This popular South Korean drama centers around a brilliant young surgeon with autism and extraordinary skills. The show became a hit in South Korea and gained international recognition, leading to adaptations in other countries. It was remade as the long-running American series ‘The Good Doctor’ with Freddie Highmore, and also inspired successful versions in Turkey (‘Mucize Doktor’) and Japan (created in 2018).

‘Juana la Virgen’ (2002)

This Venezuelan soap opera centers around a young woman who unexpectedly becomes pregnant through artificial insemination. The story was the inspiration for the popular American series ‘Jane the Virgin’. While keeping the dramatic feel of a telenovela, ‘Jane the Virgin’ added humor and self-aware storytelling. This American adaptation played a key role in introducing the telenovela format to a broader audience in English-speaking countries.

‘Prison Break’ (2005–2017)

This thrilling American drama centers around a man who deliberately gets himself imprisoned to orchestrate his brother’s escape. The show’s suspenseful plot and ongoing storyline made it a huge success worldwide for Fox. A Russian adaptation called ‘Prizonier’ mirrored the first season’s story. The original series continues to be a standout example of the escape thriller genre.

‘Entourage’ (2004–2011)

This series, inspired by the early life of Mark Wahlberg, centers around a rising movie star and his group of friends navigating the world of Hollywood. It offered viewers a glimpse behind the scenes of the film industry and the lives of celebrities. In 2016, a South Korean version of the show was created, focusing on the Korean entertainment industry. Despite featuring a popular cast, the remake didn’t achieve the same level of success as the original series.

‘Suits’ (2011–2019)

This legal drama centers around a brilliant college dropout who lands a job as a law associate without ever going to law school. The show was praised for its witty writing and the strong connection between its main characters. It gained international attention when South Korea created a popular remake in 2018, featuring Park Hyungsik and Jang Donggun, and Japan followed suit with its own adaptation later that year.

‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ (1996–2005)

I’m a huge fan of this classic American sitcom! It’s all about a sportswriter and, honestly, his family can be a bit much – they’re always getting involved! It was a big hit on CBS for years and won a ton of Emmys. What’s really interesting is that it was adapted for Russian television as ‘Voroniny,’ and it became incredibly popular there, even running for a really long time! There’s actually a documentary called ‘Exporting Raymond’ that follows the whole process of adapting the show for a different culture, which is super fascinating.

‘How I Met Your Mother’ (2005–2014)

This popular American comedy centers around a father telling his children the story of how he met their mother. The show cleverly uses flashbacks and jumps around in time, creating a fun mystery. It’s been successful internationally, with remakes in Russia and China. The Russian version kept the original title and storyline, while the Chinese adaptation adjusted the humor to better suit local audiences.

‘The Golden Girls’ (1985–1992)

This popular American comedy centers around four women who share a house in Miami. It’s known for being funny and for realistically portraying the challenges and experiences of older adults. The show has been successfully adapted for television in several countries – including the UK, Greece, Russia, and Spain – with each version aiming to recreate the strong connection between the original four main characters within a new cultural context.

Share your thoughts on these international TV adaptations in the comments.

2026-01-07 03:18