Best American Remakes of Foreign TV Shows

Some of the best American TV shows were based on foreign programs. In some cases, the original program was well known, in others unknown. The American versions sometimes take on a life of their own making the foreign originals a footnote. The wide world of TV is an oyster for American producers looking for compelling stories to tell. Of course, many U.K. series have been adapted. Australia, Israel, and that hotbed of international creativity, Scandanavia (particularly Denmark and Sweden), have all contributed to our television experience. A couple of my selections seem to appear on multiple worst-remake lists. As we’ve noted before in these columns, that’s the fun of best-of lists.

Honorable Mention – Gracepoint (based on the U.K. show Broadchurch):

Ok, this shouldn’t be on the best remake list. I’m using it in a backhanded way to plug the original, Broadchurch. The three-season crime drama is superb: from its smalltown setting along the coast of Dorset, England, to the convincing British cast, and the two detective leads, played by David Tennant and Olivia Colman. Gracepoint would have fared better on its own without the comparisons to the original. It’s a straightforward remake (with one notable exception) of Season One with Anna Gunn in place of Colman and Tennant reprising his role sans Scottish accent. The one exception is the ending which was a stretch of the imagination on Broadchurch and actually a great twist on Gracepoint. The first season of the show is self-contained (the killer is identified), where subsequent seasons (Broadchurch only) address the trial and aftermath. Both can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.

10. Rake (based on Australian show of the same name):

This adaptation, starring Greg Kinnear as criminal defense lawyer Keegan Deane, lasted only one season on Fox. It was an enjoyable spin on the self-destructive antihero. He takes on the most difficult cases, while dealing with a heavy dose of life’s problems, including owing lots of people lots of money. A great role for Kinnear. The show is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

9. The Killing (based on the Danish series, Forbrydelsen, The Crime):

This crime drama ran on AMC (3 seasons) and Netflix (4th season) from 2011-2014. The show, set in Seattle and filmed in Vancouver, followed the murder investigations of Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos) and Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman). The Killing was met with mixed reviews. I liked the dark, moody atmosphere, relationship between Linden and Holder, and particularly Kinnaman’s performance. It’s available on Hulu.

8. The Bridge (Bron/Broen in Swedish-Danish):

Another one that I liked but wasn’t received all that well (see my previous post Ten TV Shows That Left Us Too Soon

The Swedish-Danish border is re-imagined along the U.S.-Mexico line as a murdered body is found on a bridge connecting El Paso and Juarez. Two detectives from opposite sides of the border (played by Diana Kruger and Demian Bechir) come together to solve the crime. It originally aired on FX, now available on Hulu and Amazon Prime Video.

7. The Office (based on the BBC series of the same name):

Ricky Gervais created and starred in the U.K. original. The American version ran on NBC for nine seasons from 2005-13. The sitcom of the daily lives of office workers was a huge hit. Its single-camera mockumentary style without a studio audience or laugh track was notable and refreshing at the time. The main characters (Steve Carell as Michael, Rainn Wilson as Dwight, John Krasinski as Jim, Jenna Fischer as Pam) and the restrained, hilarious ensemble personified the employees of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Co. I was never a superfan but tuned in most every Thursday night and enjoyed the shenanigans. Catch up or watch again on Peacock.

6. Humans (based on the Swedish drama Real Humans):

Another Swedish show remade for American viewers by AMC (now streaming on Amazon Prime Video). This excellent series explored the social, cultural, and psychological impacts of the invention of anthropomorphic robots (“synths”). The series was filmed in England, starring Katherine Parkinson as lawyer Laura Hawkins and Gemma Chan as synth, Mia.

5. Survivor (based on the Swedish series Expedition Robinson)

Ok, I know, but aren’t we all allowed a guilty pleasure? Survivor’s been mine for about 20 years. Watch one episode and you can’t resist the mental and physical challenges faced by the contestants and that their fate in the game is voted on by the players who all had a hand in voting them out earlier. The show with the slogan “outwit, outplay, outlast” just celebrated its 41st season on CBS. Netflix is streaming just a few select seasons; Paramount + has the entire lineup available.

4. Veep (based on the BBC program The Thick of It):

Veep is a classic series. The political satire has got the trophies to back it up; three Emmys in a row for Outstanding Comedy and six (!) consecutive for Lead Actress, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. Just thinking about it makes me laugh…VP (and briefly President) Selina Meyer letting rip an expletive-filled rant surrounded by her dimwit staff as they encounter yet another political farce. Rapid-fire zingers with perfect timing. The show ran for seven seasons on HBO and can now be seen on HBO Max.

3. All in the Family (based on the Brit series Till Death Do Us Part)

Did you know that this was based on a British series? For 231 episodes, “Those Were the Days” signaled 30 minutes of priceless and groundbreaking comedy. The show depicted social issues previously considered unsuitable for U.S. audiences, such as racism, antisemitism, homosexuality, religion, abortion, and the Vietnam War. Archie (Carroll O’Connor), Edith (Jean Stapleton), Gloria (Sally Struthers), and Michael or “Meathead” (Rob Reiner) exemplified the cultural clash between the Greatest Generation and Baby Boomers.

2. House of Cards (based on the BBC series of the same name)

I was behind the times in originally signing up for Netflix streaming, but once I did, this was the first show I watched (it was also the first original show from Netflix). Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and Claire (Robin Wright) embark on an elaborate plan of betrayal to become President of the United States. A cynical, ruthless, manipulative power play. Brutal. The fateful scene with Frank and Zoe (Kate Mara) is one of the Holy Shit! moments in the history of television. Michael Kelly, playing Doug, the loyal (putting it mildly) Chief of Staff is a supporting character for the ages. Unfortunately, the final season was turned upside down by the allegations of sexual misconduct against Kevin Spacey. Wrapping the series up without him was near impossible, but Robin Wright was amazing in bringing Claire’s journey to fruition.

1. Homeland (based on the Israeli series Prisoners of War):

This was an easy call for me. Homeland is one of my all-time favorites. The espionage thriller ran for eight seasons on Showtime from 2011-2020. Claire Danes, plays impulsive, conflicted, bipolar CIA officer, Carrie Mathison. She’ll forever be in my actress hall of fame for this role. She has a special relationship with CIA Director, Saul Berenson (played by the eminent Mandy Patinkin). He is a father figure, mentor, friend, and sometime nemesis. Damien Lewis as Sgt. Nicholas Brody and Rubert Friend as CIA operative Peter Quinn turn in memorable performances in the early seasons. As with many shows that stick around awhile, Homeland got off the rails at times by killing off a main character, questionable casting choices, and pushing Carrie’s reckless decision making beyond the boundaries. The series got back to its edge-of-your-seat suspense and was able to conclude on its own terms in a satisfying manner. If you liked the series 24 and haven’t seen Homeland, start streaming it on a Showtime channel. Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon created both series.