There are countless American TV series that have enjoyed success yet were actually inspired by foreign formats: think of Euphoria, whose concept was drawn from an Israeli miniseries, or The Good Doctor, which is adapted from the Korean series of the same name. But which TV series over the years have enriched television entertainment and actually began as remakes of British works? Here are three examples whose origins you might not know.
3 Record-Breaking American TV Series That Actually Originate from British TV
The Office
Among the most beloved comedies of the past decades, The Office cannot be missing, but perhaps not everyone knows that the American version actually references the British 2001 edition, which lasted two seasons. In the United States, The Office premiered in 2005 and ran for nine seasons, with the creative support of Greg Daniels and a cast led by Steve Carell who portrayed the unforgettable Michael Scott. Today the American version is available for streaming on Disney+ and has spawned a recent spin-off titled The Paper, streaming on NOW.
Shameless
Even before its Stateside debut, Shameless captured the attention of the British public in 2004 under the creative direction of Paul Abbott. As with the American version, the British edition also lasted eleven seasons but was set in Manchester, narrating the exploits of the Gallagher family. The American version, on the other hand, unfolds in Chicago and continues to follow the Gallagher family as they face numerous difficulties, including economic struggles, dependencies, and social interactions. To date, the American remake conceived by John Wells is available for streaming on Netflix.
Veep – Incompetent Vice President
Political satire Veep – Incompetent Vice President is likewise adapted from a British TV series titled The Thick of It. In this case, what makes the two products even more interesting is the shared creator: both indeed were born from Armando Iannucci. The American version, launched in 2012 and running for seven seasons, stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, Vice President of the United States and later becoming President. To date the series is available for streaming on HBO Max.
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