5 American TV Shows You Didn't Know Are Actually Adaptations
Think your favorite American TV series are all homegrown? Well, some of them aren’t.
You might not know this, but some of your favorite TV series are actually adaptations or remakes from shows in other countries. Want an example? Here are five of them.
Shameless — Shameless (UK)
The American hit series Shameless, which follows the chaotic life of the Gallagher family, didn't originate in the U.S. It's actually an adaptation of a British series by Paul Abbott with the same name.
The UK version started airing seven years before the U.S. adaptation and ran for almost as long. It's kind of like The Office situation, where the UK got the party started, and then the U.S. joined in with its own twist.
Ugly Betty — Yo soy Betty, la fea (Colombia)
Ugly Betty might have won hearts with its unique humor and heartfelt moments, but did you know it was based on a Colombian telenovela? Yep, it's adapted from Yo soy Betty, la fea by Fernando Gaitán.
This telenovela was a massive hit and inspired numerous international adaptations. But, to be fair, the American version, starring America Ferrera, added its own flair to the story of an unfashionable but talented young woman working at a fashion magazine.
House of Cards — House of Cards (UK)
The political drama House of Cards was originally a British series. It's based on a 1989 novel of the same name by Michael Dobbs, which was first adapted into a BBC series.
The American version, which became Netflix 's first major original series, transformed the setting to the corridors of power in Washington D.C.
Homeland — Prisoners of War (Israel)
Homeland, known for its intense espionage drama, is actually based on an Israeli series called Prisoners of War (Hebrew: חטופים, Hatufim).
Created by Gideon Raff, who also became an executive producer for Homeland, the original series delved into the lives and challenges of soldiers returning from captivity.
The Good Doctor — The Good Doctor (South Korea)
The Good Doctor, which brought us the story of a young autistic surgeon, is adapted from a South Korean series of the same name (Korean: 굿 닥터; Gut Dakteo). Premiering in 2013 in South Korea, the original series laid the groundwork for the American adaptation that began in 2017.