12 Hit U.S. Remakes of Foreign TV Shows That Prove Some Originals Can Be Outdone

12 Hit U.S. Remakes of Foreign TV Shows That Prove Some Originals Can Be Outdone

American television has a long history of borrowing ideas from around the world, and sometimes those borrowed concepts become even bigger hits than their original versions. When done right, a remake can take the core of a foreign show and transform it into something fresh and exciting for U.S. audiences. From workplace comedies to gritty family dramas, these adaptations prove that crossing borders can lead to television gold.

1. All in the Family (1971–1979)

Before this show aired, American sitcoms mostly avoided controversial topics and kept things light. Producer Norman Lear changed everything by adapting the British series Till Death Us Do Part into a comedy that fearlessly addressed racism, sexism, and political division through the eyes of Archie Bunker, a stubborn working-class man from Queens.

Carroll O’Connor brought humanity to a character who could have been simply hateful, making audiences laugh while forcing them to examine their own prejudices.

The show became a cultural phenomenon, winning multiple Emmy Awards and dominating ratings for years. What made this remake superior was its willingness to push boundaries even further than the original, creating conversations that Americans desperately needed to have during a turbulent era.

2. Shameless (2011–2021)

Taking a beloved British series and relocating it to Chicago’s South Side was risky, but this adaptation managed to capture the chaos and dysfunction of the original while making it distinctly American. William H. Macy brought his own spin to the role of Frank Gallagher.

The alcoholic father’s six kids are left to raise themselves while he chases his next scheme or drink. The U.S. version ran for eleven seasons, far outlasting its source material, because it found the perfect balance between heartbreak and humor.

Each Gallagher child got their own complex storylines exploring poverty, addiction, sexuality, and survival in ways that felt authentic rather than preachy. What set this remake apart was its refusal to romanticize poverty while still finding moments of joy and family connection.

3. The Office (2005–2013)

Ricky Gervais created something brilliant with the British version, but many wondered if its awkward humor would translate across the Atlantic. After a rocky first season that stuck too closely to the original, the American version found its own identity by developing deeper character relationships and adding warmth to the cringe comedy.

Steve Carell’s Michael Scott became less mean-spirited than his British counterpart, evolving into a lovable buffoon whose heart was always in the right place. The supporting cast grew into fully realized characters with their own storylines, romances, and growth arcs.

Running for nine seasons compared to the original’s two, this version proved that American audiences wanted to spend more time at Dunder Mifflin, creating countless memes and cultural moments.

4. House of Cards (2013–2018)

Netflix took a gamble on adapting a British political thriller from the 1990s, moving the action from Westminster to Washington and updating it for the modern age of political ruthlessness. Kevin Spacey’s Frank Underwood became television’s most captivating villain, breaking the fourth wall to bring viewers into his schemes and manipulations.

The show arrived at the perfect moment when Americans were becoming increasingly cynical about politics, offering a dark fantasy where power-hungry politicians would stop at nothing to climb higher.

Robin Wright’s Claire Underwood evolved from political wife to equally ruthless partner, creating one of television’s most complex female characters. This remake succeeded by understanding American political culture and making the corruption feel both shocking and somehow believable.

5. Wilfred (2011–2014)

Few concepts sound stranger on paper than a show about a depressed man who sees his neighbor’s dog as a guy in a cheap dog suit, but this Australian import became a cult favorite. Elijah Wood brought vulnerability to Ryan, a suicidal lawyer whose friendship with Wilfred becomes both therapeutic and deeply troubling as the show progresses.

Jason Gans played Wilfred with perfect comic timing, making the character simultaneously crude, philosophical, and genuinely mysterious. The American version leaned harder into existential questions about reality and consciousness.

It also tackled mental health while maintaining its signature absurdist humor. Running for four seasons, this remake found an audience willing to embrace its weirdness and stick around for answers to its increasingly complex mythology about what Wilfred really represented.

6. Jane the Virgin (2014–2019)

Telenovelas are known for outrageous plot twists and heightened emotions, but this adaptation of a Venezuelan series added layers of self-awareness and cultural specificity that made it special. Gina Rodriguez starred as Jane Villanueva, a young woman whose life takes an unexpected turn.

Everything changes after she’s accidentally artificially inseminated during a routine doctor’s visit. The show celebrated its Latina heritage while poking fun at telenovela conventions through a charming narrator who guided viewers through increasingly wild storylines. What could have been purely campy instead became genuinely moving.

The show explored three generations of women, immigration, family expectations, and the journey to find your own path. Critics praised how the remake improved on the original by grounding its absurdity in real emotions and cultural authenticity that resonated with diverse audiences.

7. The Bridge (2013–2014)

Relocating a Scandinavian crime drama to the U.S.-Mexico border gave this remake immediate political relevance and cultural tension. When a body is found precisely on the border line between El Paso and Juarez, detectives from both sides must work together despite vastly different resources, legal systems, and personal styles.

Diane Kruger played Sonya Cross, a detective with social difficulties similar to Asperger’s syndrome, whose blunt honesty clashed with her Mexican counterpart’s more diplomatic approach.

The show tackled immigration, cartel violence, and economic inequality without easy answers or stereotypes. Though it only lasted two seasons, this adaptation demonstrated how moving a story to a different location can add new layers of meaning and urgency to familiar thriller formulas.

8. The Killing (2011–2014)

Seattle’s perpetual rain and grey skies provided the perfect backdrop for this moody adaptation of the Danish series Forbrydelsen. Rather than solving crimes quickly, this show stretched a single murder investigation across an entire season, building tension and exploring how violence ripples through families, communities, and political campaigns.

Mireille Enos brought intensity to detective Sarah Linden, a woman whose obsession with cases destroyed her personal relationships but made her brilliant at uncovering truth. The slow-burn pacing frustrated some viewers used to faster American crime shows, but others appreciated the psychological depth.

After network cancellation, Netflix revived the show for a final season, proving that Nordic noir’s contemplative approach to crime storytelling had found a dedicated American audience willing to embrace patience.

9. The Good Doctor (2017–2024)

Medical dramas are common on American television, but this South Korean adaptation stood out by centering on Dr. Shaun Murphy, a surgical resident with autism and savant syndrome. Freddie Highmore delivers a nuanced performance that avoids stereotypes.

He captures both Shaun’s extraordinary medical talents and his challenges with social interaction and sensory overload. The show educates viewers about autism while telling compelling medical stories that don’t reduce Shaun to his diagnosis.

His colleagues learn to appreciate his different way of thinking, which often leads to diagnostic breakthroughs others miss. Now in its seventh season, this remake has succeeded where the original lasted only one season, proving that American audiences were ready for a medical hero who looked at the world differently.

10. Ugly Betty (2006–2010)

Colombian telenovela Yo soy Betty, la fea became a global phenomenon, but the American version added distinctly New York energy and tackled issues of diversity and body image in the fashion industry. America Ferrera starred as Betty Suarez, a woman whose intelligence and kindness outshone her unfashionable looks.

In the superficial world of Mode magazine, her character proved that brains and heart matter more than appearances. The show balanced comedy with genuine heart, celebrating Betty’s Mexican-American family while showing her navigate a workplace where she didn’t fit the usual mold.

Her relationship with demanding editor Daniel Meade evolved from antagonistic to one of television’s best platonic friendships. Winning multiple awards including Golden Globes and Emmys, this remake improved on the original by shortening the story and adding layers of social commentary about beauty standards.

11. Humans (2015–2018)

What happens when humanoid robots become affordable household helpers? This British-American co-production adapted Sweden’s Real Humans to explore that question with surprising emotional depth. Set in a parallel present where synthetic humans called synths do everything from childcare to manual labor, the show examined what makes us human.

Gemma Chan stood out as Anita, a synth whose malfunctions hint at something more than programming, raising questions about consciousness and rights.The show explored themes of obsolescence and humanity’s growing dependence on technology.

It also questioned whether artificial beings could genuinely feel emotions or merely imitate them convincingly. Running three seasons, this remake expanded on the Swedish original’s ideas, creating a thought-provoking drama that felt increasingly relevant as real-world AI technology advanced during its run.

12. Grand Hotel (2019)

Spanish thriller Gran Hotel got a sunny Miami makeover in this adaptation about the last family-owned luxury resort in the city. When a young woman takes a job at the hotel to investigate her sister’s mysterious disappearance, she uncovers a web of family secrets, forbidden romances, and criminal activities hiding behind the glamorous facade.

Demian Bichir starred as Santiago Mendoza, the patriarch trying to hold his empire together while his family members pursued their own agendas. The show blended telenovela-style drama with murder mystery elements, creating a sudsy summer series perfect for escapist viewing.

Though it only lasted one season, this remake demonstrated how Spanish television’s flair for romantic intrigue and family drama could be successfully transplanted to an American setting with multicultural Miami providing authentic Latin flavor.