Top 10 Best Prequel TV Series
#10: “Young Sheldon” (2017-)
Top 10 Things About Young Sheldon That Make No Sense to a The Big Bang Theory Fan
Perhaps the biggest “breakout” character of “The Big Bang Theory” was Sheldon Cooper. With everything we learned about him over 12 seasons, it’s hard to imagine what other stories could be told. Yet, through the eyes of this amazing prequel, we have witnessed the birth of many classic Sheldon quirks. Having started as just Sheldon’s origin story, this show has done an incredible job of showing a very different side to both the titular boy genius and the members of his family. By the time the show reached its seventh and final season, we were emotionally invested in the whole Cooper clan.
#9: “Caprica” (2010)
The planet Caprica was the main hub of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, as depicted in the “Battlestar Galactica” remake released in 2004. With the primary show focusing on the aftermath of the Cylon attack, the prequel show focused on what life was like on Caprica before. With the remake having introduced the idea of “human” Cylons, many fans wondered how that had come to be. Thanks to the ingenuity of Daniel Graystone, he found a way to resurrect his daughter Zoe’s digital avatar into a new body, bringing human-form Cylons to life. The show never made it past the first season, but it did manage to give fans some welcome answers.
#8: “Black Sails” (2014-17)
The Shocking True Story of Black Bird
Stories of pirates looking for treasure across the many seas have been told for decades. Much of the inspiration for these comes from the Robert Louis Stevenson book, “Treasure Island.” Who wouldn’t want to be Jim Hawkins meeting up with Long John Silver to find an ancient trove of gold buried somewhere? Even before the Hispaniola set sail, there were bound to be other tales of legendary treasures. Enter “Black Sails.” Set about 20 years prior to the events of the book, we get to see the adventures of Captain Flint himself, the man who hid the treasure Hawkins was looking for. It’s a story we never knew we had to know, but are glad to have been told.
#7: “1923” (2022-)
As much as superheroes and science fiction have seen a resurgence recently, there is something to be said about grounded stories in rural America. “Yellowstone” is a modern tale of ranch life set in the vast state of Montana. The show has garnered so much critical and audience acclaim that it’s gone on to create its own franchise. Both “1883” and “1923” follow the trials and tribulations of two different generations of the Dutton family. The latter gives audiences a great window into the Great Depression, as well as a world of prohibition. Three additional sequel/prequel series are also currently in development.
#6: “Fear the Walking Dead” (2015-23)
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Despite how many years pass by, humanity’s fascination with zombies never seems to get old. “The Walking Dead” lasted 11 seasons, giving us a long look at what life might be like after the zombies took over. But like many of the other entries on this list, fans often want to know more about what happened in the early days. The first few seasons of “Fear the Walking Dead” put the audience at the very beginning of what Rick and his gang had been in for years. Seeing how the virus spread and how humanity began to collapse can be just as entertaining as lopping off yet another zombie head.
#5: “Bates Motel” (2013-17)
“Psycho” will be forever known as one of the greatest horror movies ever told. Unbeknownst to many, “Bates Motel” may in some ways surpass it in the sheer creep factor. The show follows a younger version of Norman (brilliantly played by Freddie Highmore) and his unhealthy relationship with his mother Norma. The single greatest thing about this origin story is how well the two lead actors embody their roles. The mother-son relationship we get to witness runs the gamut from touching and sweet, to downright disturbing. It’s a show that will undoubtedly answer why Norman became the man we recognize from the Alfred Hitchcock film.
#4: “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” (2022-)
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“Star Trek: Enterprise,” set 100 years before the original, tried really hard to be the prequel fans wanted. Unfortunately, it got pulled from the air just as things were getting good. “Star Trek: Discovery,” set only 10 years prior to Kirk’s time, lasted longer but was still not the Trek hardcore fans were looking for. It did, however, become the genesis for “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” which quickly became the most favored new “Star Trek” series in a long time. Featuring the likes of Captain Pike, Spock, Uhura, and even a younger Kirk, if you’re looking for classic “Trek” with a new polish, this is your show.
#3: “House of the Dragon” (2022-)
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Say whatever you want about the end of “Game of Thrones,” but at least something superior was coming. After several failed attempts to launch other “Thrones” shows, HBO finally introduced “House of the Dragon.” Taking fans back to an era about 200 years before the original show, this world is one ruled by the House Targaryen. The show is a mix of original material by the show’s writing staff, along with portions of George R. R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood” novel. Fans have enjoyed seeing the early years of the Seven Kingdoms while also dreading the inevitable downfalls that await.
#2: “Hannibal” (2013-15)
Top 10 Scariest Hannibal Moments
“Silence of the Lambs” is universally praised as being one of the most influential films of all time. Although other films have been made around the lead character of Hannibal Lecter, they all pale in comparison to Mads Mikkelsen’s portrayal in this beautifully demented origin story. Released in 2013, “Hannibal” only lasted for three seasons, but it too became a huge hit among critics and fans. The show’s iteration of Lecter gives us the same character, but long before he ended up in prison. We’re given a far deeper dive into the intricacies of Lecter’s character, while still providing a chilling reminder of what he truly is.
#1: “Better Call Saul” (2015-22)
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When “Breaking Bad” was on the air, no one would have ever thought that Walter’s slimy lawyer would have enough story to justify an entire series. Boy would we have been wrong. “Better Call Saul” gives us the full back and front story of Jimmy McGill’s life. The early narrative shows a struggle for Jimmy to leave his days as a conman behind him. Much like Walter White, Jimmy eventually gives in to what he’s good at, and we see the birth of Saul Goodman. Not only do we get to see his early antics, but we get a satisfying conclusion to his story post-“Breaking Bad”. We’re not lying when we say this is the best prequel show ever made.
Do you have a favorite prequel show that we missed? Let us know the deets down below in the comments.
