You may be aware that The Office, featuring Steve Carell, is a reimagining of the British TV series with the same title. Despite the American version’s immense success—lasting nine seasons and pioneering the mockumentary sitcom style—many argue that the original surpasses it.
We’re not taking sides, but The Office isn’t the only notable American show originating elsewhere. Here are some popular ones worth exploring:
Veep
Remake of: The Thick of It
Country of origin: UK
Streaming on: HBO Max
Original streaming on BritBox
Veep, created by Armando Iannucci, stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, the Vice President of the United States. A political satire like its British counterpart, The Thick of It, Veep distinguishes itself by emphasizing ensemble dynamics. Both shows share the same universe, with occasional crossover references.
Euphoria
Remake of: אופוריה (Euphoria)
Country of origin: Israel
Streaming on: HBO Max
Original streaming: Not available
HBO’s Euphoria mirrors its Israeli predecessor, exploring the lives of high school students grappling with provocative issues. While both versions share a foundation, the American adaptation, starring Zendaya, delves into more intense territory with captivating cinematography.
House of Cards
A remake of: House of Cards
Country of origin: UK
Streaming on: Netflix
Original streaming on Amazon Prime Video
Based on the BBC’s 1990 miniseries, the American House of Cards, set in Washington, D.C., follows a congressman and his wife’s Machiavellian pursuit of power. The U.S. version, a Netflix in-house production, diverges from the original BBC series, drawing inspiration from Shakespearean characterization.
Utopia
Remake of: Utopia
Country of origin: UK
Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video
Original streaming on Amazon Prime Video
Utopia, adapted from the British series, revolves around a group discovering a prophetic graphic novel. While the premise remains, the American remake falls short of the original’s brilliance.
Homeland
Remake of: חטופים / Prisoners of War
Country of origin: Israel
Streaming on: Hulu
Original streaming on DirecTV
Claire Danes leads Homeland, a CIA-centric show based on the Israeli series Prisoners of War. While the creator remained involved, the U.S. version prioritizes suspense, centering on Carrie Mathison’s espionage.
Shameless
A remake of: Shameless
Country of origin: UK
Streaming on: Netflix
Original streaming on Hulu
Shameless, derived from the British series, chronicles the Gallagher family’s escapades. Both versions share a director for their pilots, and the American iteration became the longest-running scripted comedy on Showtime.
The Good Doctor
A remake of: 굿 닥터 (Good Doctor)
Country of origin: South Korea
Streaming on: Hulu
Original streaming on Kocowa
Adapted from the South Korean TV series, The Good Doctor features Freddie Highmore as Shaun Murphy, a surgical resident with autism. The U.S. version outlasted its predecessor by four seasons, with showrunner David Shore from House leading the American development.
Jane the Virgin
Remake of: Juana la virgen
Country of origin: Venezuela
Streaming on: Netflix
Original streaming on Tubi (for free)
A romantic dramedy, Jane the Virgin is a satire of the Venezuelan telenovela Juana la virgen. While sharing the premise of accidental insemination, the U.S. version differs by infusing humor into the soap opera genre.
The Bridge
Remake of: Broen / Bron
Country of origin: Denmark and Sweden
Streaming on: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video
Original streaming on Topic, Hoopla
Set around the Bridge of the Americas, The Bridge investigates a cross-border serial killer. The Nordic noir original excels, contributing to the genre’s international popularity. Several international adaptations, like The Tunnel (UK and France), Мост/Sild (Estonia and Russia), The Bridge (Malaysia and Singapore), and Der Pass (Germany and Austria), also exist.
The Killing
Remake of: Forbrydelsen
Country of origin: Denmark
Streaming on: Hulu
Original streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Topic
The Killing, inspired by the Danish TV series, is a moody police procedural set in Seattle. Despite fluctuating viewership, the show’s atmospheric aesthetics make it worthwhile, with the original offering a more detailed investigation and character development.
Ugly Betty
Remake of: Yo soy Betty, la fea
Country of origin: Colombia
Streaming on: Hulu
Original streaming on fuboTV
Ugly Betty, adapting the Colombian telenovela, portrays a New York woman navigating her fashion magazine job. The U.S. version diverges by emphasizing Betty’s skills over her appearance, offering a prime-time remake of the original soap opera.
Power Rangers
A remake of The Super Sentai franchise
Country of origin: Japan
Streaming on: Netflix
Original streaming on ShoutFactoryTV (for free)
Power Rangers, a ’90s kids’ franchise, originates from the Japanese tokusatsu series Super Sentai, dating back to 1975. With its ongoing success, Power Rangers continues to captivate audiences with its special effects, giant robots, and monsters.
With its roots in international shows, the American entertainment landscape offers a diverse range of captivating stories across various genres.
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