The 20 best TV show prequels

Better Call Saul is the highly acclaimed prequel to Breaking Bad, which follows shady lawyer Saul Goodman. Here, before meeting Walter White, he is known as Jimmy McGill, and goes through a number of trials and tribulations that transform him into the morally complex character from the 2008 series. The quality of the writing and performances is just as magnificent as its predecessor, and the show features many appearances from other Breaking Bad characters.

House of the Dragon is HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel set nearly two hundred years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen. It follows her Targaryen ancestors, who compete for the Iron Throne and cause a civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. The show introduces many new characters to love and hate, like Rhyaenyra and Daemon Targaryen. It features the same violence and explicit content seen in Game of Thrones, but has its own unique and more deliberately paced storytelling.  

Andor is the prequel to the film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and follows Rebel spy Cassian during the formative years of the Rebellion against the Empire. While set within the Star Wars universe, Andor is completely different from any other previous films or shows. The themes are much more mature and the tone grittier, grounding Andor in realistic storytelling. With political themes of corruption, oppression, and conspiracy, Andor demonstrates the versatility of the Star Wars universe. 

Star Trek: Discovery is set ten years before the events of Star Trek: The Original Series. It follows the crew of the USS Discovery, who discover new worlds and alien forms. Leading them is Starfleet officer Michael Burnham, played by Sonequa Martin-Green. It is a fantastic addition to the many Star Trek movies and shows that already exist, adding more context and further expanding its universe. It is also visually impressive and feels very cinematic. 

Young Sheldon explores the childhood of Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, following him as he grows up in Texas. The child genius struggles to fit in with others, as well as deal with the shenanigans of his unintellectual family. It’s a very different show from The Big Bang Theory, and can be quite emotional at times. The heartwarming series gives a deeper insight into Sheldon’s persona and how it influences who he becomes, as well as his relationship with his late father.

1883 is one of two prequels to the hit series Yellowstone, with this one set at the beginning of the timeline. It follows the Dutton family post-Civil War, as they flee poverty and escape to Texas, eventually leading them on a journey that sees them settle in Montana. There, they establish what becomes the Yellowstone ranch from the main series. The show will please both fans of Yellowstone and Western period pieces, and features great acting from Sam Elliott and others.

1923 is the second prequel to Yellowstone, and is set after the events of 1883. The series follows a new generation of the Dutton family in the early twentieth century. They face many more challenges when it comes to protecting their land and family, including the Western expansion, Prohibition, and the Great Depression. It presents another fascinating period, adding depth to the world of Yellowstone . Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren also star.

Bates Motel follows the life of Norman Bates from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho during his teenage years. As his psyche deteriorates and he begins to unravel, his mother, Norma Louise, tries to get him help and protect him from others. Freddie Highmore plays Norman, while Vera Farmiga plays Norma Louise. It is full of suspense, twists, and shock, and Highmore and Farmiga are equally brilliant. It’s a worthy addition to Hitchcock’s film, and delivers the same horror and thrills.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is Amazon’s high-budget fantasy series, serving as a prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is set thousands of years before both The Hobbit and LOTR, and follows multiple characters and storylines in the lead up to the return of Sauron. There are familiar faces from LOTR, including Galadriel and Elrond, as well as plenty of new ones. The show is a visual spectacle and further builds upon the magical world of Middle-earth.

Hannibal is a prequel to 1991’s The Silence of the Lambs, following renowned psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter, who is also a cannibalistic serial killer. In the series, Hannibal practices psychiatry while hiding his murderous persona. The other main character is Will Graham, an FBI criminal profiler who can empathize with serial killers. He is advised to see Hannibal as a result, and the two form a fascinating relationship. Mads Mikkelsen is terrifying in this iconic role. 

While Sex and the City recently received a sequel series called And Just Like That…, it also has a prequel series, The Carrie Diaries, which launched in 2013 . The story follows Carrie Bradshaw as a high school student during the 1980s, as she has her first encounters with sex and love, as well as family and friendship. The role made famous by Sarah Jessica Parker is played by AnnaSophia Robb here, while her love interest, Sebastian, is played by Oscar nominee Austin Butler.

Dexter follows the titular serial killer who solves crimes during the day and commits them at night. The popular series has produced two sequel shows, but its prequel, Dexter: Original Sin , came out in 2024. It follows a young Dexter Morgan in 1991, who is already having bloodthirsty urges. He makes the transition from student to avenging serial killer with the help of his father, played by Christian Slater. Patrick Gibson is perfectly cast, adding just the right mix of charm and discomfort to his portrayal. 

Dune: Prophecy is the prequel to the highly acclaimed sci-fi films directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Timothée Chalamet. It takes place ten thousand years before the events of Paul Atreides’s ascension, and follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces and establish what becomes known as the Bene Gesserit, as seen in the films. Full of intrigue and mystery, the series contains detail-oriented world-building and great performances from actors such as Emily Watson. 

Pennyworth is a prequel series to Gotham, and follows the origins of a young Alfred Pennyworth (played by Jack Bannon), who would famously become Batman/Bruce Wayne’s trusted butler. This series sees him as a special forces soldier living in London, and explores how he came to work for Thomas Wayne, Bruce’s father. The show offers a fascinating look into Alfred’s backstory, providing depth and context to the character audiences come to know in Gotham. 

The Walking Dead is the apocalyptic zombie series that became a worldwide hit when released in 2010. There have been several spin-off shows since, but prequel Fear the Walking Dead remains a highlight. The series depicts the beginning of the undead apocalypse in Los Angeles and follows two families who must unite to survive. Fans will be curious to see what exactly happened that led to the fall of mankind, and from a unique perspective that isn’t in the original series. 

Mixed-ish is the prequel to the 2014 comedy series Black-ish, which follows the Johnson family. Mixed-ish follows Rainbow Johnston before she was a wife and mother, growing up as a child in a mixed-race family. The role previously played by Tracee Ellis Ross is now played by Arica Himmel. The show also has a strong focus on Rainbow’s parents, played by Tika Sumpter and Mark-Paul Gosselaar. It’s another feel-good story full of familial love and plenty of hilarious moments.

NCIS has had plenty of spinoffs, but only one prequel, titled NCIS: Origins. The series follows a young Leroy Gethro Gibbs (famously played by Mark Harmon in the original show) as he starts his career as a special agent at the NCIS Camp Pendleton office in 1991. There, he teams up with Mike Franks, who was a recurring character in NCIS. NCIS: Origins offers a gripping look at one of TV’s most famous characters, and even features narration from Mark Harmon’s Leroy.

Bridgerton has become one of the most popular shows in the world over the last few years, and viewers cannot get enough Regency period romance because of it. In 2023, Netflix released Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, which centers on a young version of Queen Charlotte, who is a supporting character in the original series. Charlotte’s marriage and romance with King George is explored, and makes for one of the most swoon-worthy love stories in the Bridgerton world. 

From the mind of Ryan Murphy, Ratched is a prequel to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and explores the origins of the show’s titular villain. In 1947, a young Mildred Ratched begins working at a psychiatric institution, where her darkness and bitterness grow until she becomes a cruel monster to her own patients. It is interesting to see just how Ratched came to be so cold and evil, with a strong leading performance from Sarah Paulson, and plenty of visual flair to match.

Battlestar Galactica became a cult sci-fi phenomenon when it was released in 2004, serving as a reimagining of the original 1978 series. With such rich worldbuilding, storytelling, and characters, it’s no surprise that a prequel series was eventually made. Caprica is set fifty-eight years before the events of Galactica, and is set on the titular planet leading up to the events that create the deadly Cylons. It only lasted one season, but it works as a riveting buildup to what viewers know comes next.