In the mood for a throwback? These are the best TV show reboots worth a watch
They say imitation is the greatest source of flattery and when it comes to TV reboots, there’s definitely some truth in that. TV shows have never been more popular and our thirst for all things throwback is at an all-time high, with a rush of revivals landing on our screens, reminding us of some of the glory days of our youth.
Whether it’s a sequel, prequel, an adaptation or spin-off from the original, we cannot deny that producers are, right now, pandering to our nostalgic needs, allowing us to revisit some of our favourite characters and locations. While some TV reboots have been a tad disappointing, there are plenty that have proved to be popular in their own right, with more inclusive casting and a fresher perspective making it relevant to modern audiences.
Take Gossip Girl , currently filming in the streets of New York as we write this. While the original, which ran from 2007-2012, wasn’t hugely representative with a mainly all-white cast, the new reboot has an ethnically diverse lead line-up and, as writer Joshua Safran revealed, there’s set to be grittier storylines and plenty of “queer content.”
For anyone craving some old-school fun, a new series of Saved By The Bell landed on NBS streaming service Peacock (you need a VPN to watch) last summer. The beloved 90s sitcom that followed characters Zack, Kelly, Slater, and Screech through high school (and, eventually, college and adult life) features most of the original cast including Jessie Spano (Elizabeth Berkley Lauren), A.C. Slater (Mario Lopez), Kelly Kapowski (Tiffani Thiessen), and Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) with plenty of throwbacks to the original, even though our highschoolers are proper grown-ups now.
Of course, there’s been SO many other top revivals too - from Will & Grace and The Gilmore Girls to the soon-to-land Hocus Pocus 2 , we literally cannot get enough.
Here’s a round-up of our favourite TV reboots worth watching...
NetflixGilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
If you grew up watching Gilmore Girls on repeat, the special four-part Netflix series Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life which starred the show’s original castmates Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel and Kelly Bishop is essential watching.
NetflixChilling Adventures Of Sabrina
This Sabrina The Teenage Witch spin-off on Netflix is a much darker series, starring the bewitching Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men) stars as the titular character. While there is less goofiness, the first season of this was a roaring success and we hear a second is on the way.
Getty ImagesSaved By The Bell
Featuring a new cast of high-schoolers as well as the return of the original cast Jessie (Elizabeth Berkley Lauren), Slater (Mario Lopez), Kelly (Tiffani Thiessen), and Zack (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), this is a binge-worthy series with all the throwbacks we need RN.
Getty ImagesGossip Girl
Filming for the Gossip Girl reboot is still taking place but production shots reveal we are in for a treat, with an ethnically diverse lead line-up and some MEGA fashion moments coming our way. We're waiting with baited breath for this one.
CBS/CBS All AccessThe Twilight Zone
The latest version of this sci-fi thriller series, which originally ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964 has proved a hit with fans. Hosted by Jordan Peele, each episode features a different, spine-chilling tale. The show even earned an Emmy nomination for guest star Kumail Nanjiani.
NetflixDynasty
Following on similar themes from the original 80s drama (minus the perms and shoulder pads) this latest series follows two of America's wealthiest families as they feud for control over their fortune and their children.
ShutterstockVeronica Mars
This '00s crime teen drama returned for a fourth season in 2019, which sees Kristen Bell reprising her role as sleuth Veronica Mars in Neptune, California, a popular spring break vacation destination.
Everett CollectionWill & Grace
When this NBC sitcom reboot debuted in 2017, it was a HUGE hit. With just three seasons, we got to revisit our fav cast members Will (Eric McCormack), Grace (Debra Messing), Jack (Sean Hayes) and Karen (Megan Mullally) again and it was nominated for an Emmy. Worth a watch.
Everett CollectionHocus Pocus 2
A Hocus Pocus sequel has long been rumoured but Disney+ last year finally confirmed that they're working on a new remake of the cult classic and Bette Midler, who played Winnie Sanderson in the original Hocus Pocus, confirmed that she, along with co-stars Sarah Jessica Parker (Sarah Sanderson) and Kathy Najimy (Mary Sanderson) will all be returning as the Sanderson Sisters for the Hocus Pocus spin-off directed by Hairspray's Adam Shankman. We don't have much more than that for now but we are psyched.
