Networks are handing out cancelations like hot cakes. NBC and CBS have pulled the plug on several of different shows over the last year. Something we've noticed is that a lot of these shows are actually spinoffs of shows that are still on the air.
The Rookie: Feds is no more, but The Rookie is fine. 9-1-1: Lone Star was cut off at the knees, even though 9-1-1 is thriving and crossing over with Doctor Odyssey. FBI is the latest and biggest example as two spinoffs, Most Wanted and International have been canceled by CBS.
There's an interesting tension that arises when these cancelations occur. Those involved with the flagship shows lament their spinoff's demise, and suggest that characters could be brought over from the spinoff and incorporated into their show, at least for a couple of episodes. It adds up on paper, and makes the sense of finality regarding cancelation more palatable.
The Rookie and FBI have teased post-cancelation crossovers
The Rookie, 9-1-1 and FBI have to determine if they are going to react to their spinoffs being canceled by bringing fan favorite characters back, or simply carry on without worrying about offshoot characters. And it's worth looking at other franchises examples to determine whether bringing back characters from a canceled show is a legit game plan or something actors and producers say in an effort to ease the pain.
Zeeko Zaki recently praised FBI: International, and suggested that characters from the global spinoff could reappear on regular FBI. "Maybe there will be opportunities for me to work with all of them in the future," the actor told TV Line. "Their worlds will stay alive regardless of the shows."
Nathan Fillion said something similar when asked about the prospect of seeing The Rookie: Feds faces on the flagship show in the future. Predictably, he was vaguely optimistic. "We are trying to create a universe in which we can all exist," he said during San Diego Comic-Con. "The title and the idea that it was my show was always just a trick. It’s always been an ensemble cast."
The comment was made June 2024, and The Rookie: Feds was canceled in November 2023. There's been plenty of time for The Rookie to revive Feds characters, but unsurprisingly, the show has opted to focus on its own characters. And it's easy to see why. The Rookie has been popular enough to stay on the air, while Feds was not.
Shows generally avoid bringing back spinoff stars
The same goes for 9-1-1 and FBI. The brands are still strong, as evidenced by the fact that both have spinoffs planned for the future. But their respective networks determined that 9-1-1: Lone Star, Most Wanted and International had reached their potential. It would benefit a show or a franchise to bring back characters from spinoffs that didn't work as well.
Ultimately, we come down on the side of actors and producers saying that they plan to bring back spinoff characters because it makes fans feel better about losing one their shows. There's very little incentive to actually do so, and doing so would actually run the risk of deterring what fans love so much about the shows that are still going.
We're not saying it's impossible, or that none of the shows mentioned above will attempt it. We are, however, saying that fans should not get their hopes up. After all, we can revisit our favorite spinoff characters simply by rewatching their shows.