5 Backdoor TV Pilots That Failed to Become Their Own Shows

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Producing a hit TV series is no easy feat. Firstly, an idea must captivate a network or streaming platform to approve a pilot episode. Yet, securing one episode is just the beginning as the process of preparing it can be tough, what with feedback from higher-ups and various obstacles. If, however, the pilot passes muster and gets the green light, the journey becomes somewhat smoother. The creative team can then concentrate on developing characters and devising compelling story arcs that could span numerous seasons. Once the series finds its rhythm, it can take bold steps.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve noticed an intriguing technique some series use to innovate – they slip in a ‘secret pilot’, which is essentially an episode designed for a potential spin-off, all disguised within the main storyline to test audience response. This strategy has been around for quite some time, but it doesn’t always succeed. Regrettably, there have been numerous instances where shows haven’t managed to generate enough buzz to launch another series.

1) “The Farm” (The Office)

As a devoted cinephile, I must confess that the recent seasons of “The Office” have been, well, less than smooth sailing. Michael Scott’s absence has left an undeniable void, and the series seems to be grappling to find its footing without him. In a bid to revitalize the show, they’ve decided to explore a Dwight Schrute spinoff, which is one of their strategies to tackle the challenges they face.

In Season 9, “The Farm” episode focuses on Dwight who attends Aunt Shirley’s funeral. This gathering brings Dwight’s family together, and he persuades his siblings to come back home to manage the farm with him. However, further events depicted in the story didn’t make it past the pilot stage as NBC chose not to proceed with it.

2) “Wayward Sisters” (Supernatural)

In its ninth season, the TV series “Supernatural” introduced its initial backdoor pilot, focusing on a young hunter in the urban setting of Chicago. This character confronted criminal organizations controlled by monstrous figures. The network, The CW, opted against this concept initially, but the show creators persisted and revisited it in Season 13.

Under the leadership of beloved character Jody Mills, “Wayward Sisters” revolves around a cop adopting a band of young women who have tragically lost their families due to supernatural occurrences. She molds them into highly skilled hunters. Regrettably, The CW didn’t find enough promise in the second spin-off attempt from “Supernatural”, which ultimately failed to impress.

3) “Green Arrow and the Canaries” (Arrow)

The upcoming final season for “Arrow” is brimming with action thanks to the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” storyline. As expected, Oliver Queen plays a significant role, and because he meets his end during this crossover event, the last few episodes of the series shift into uncharted territory.

In a future without Oliver Queen, his daughter Mia finds herself adapting to life on her own. But peace doesn’t last long as Laurel Lance and Dinah Drake reappear, dragging Mia into a struggle with a criminal family in Star City. As the Arrowverse was wrapping up when this spinoff pilot aired, ‘Arrow’ missed out on one final spin-off series.

4) “Parting Shot” (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)

ABC aimed to cash in on the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s popularity, so they aired Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., chronicling the escapades of Phil Coulson and his team. Two companions, Bobbi Morse and Lance Hunter, stayed with the series until Season 3, when the show wrote them off in preparation for their standalone series.

In “Parting Shot”, characters Bobbi and Hunter find themselves caught up in a global predicament, forcing them to abandon their comrades from the team. Unfortunately, the narrative of Marvel’s Most Wanted, which was intended to expand upon this tale, didn’t receive approval for continuation as a spinoff.

5) “Assignment: Earth” (Star Trek)

In the last episode of Star Trek Season 2, Captain Kirk and his team journey into the past. They encounter an enigmatic individual named Gary Seven who asserts that altering the future is at stake if he’s prevented from finishing his task. Although harboring doubts, Kirk assists Seven in disarming a missile poised to ignite World War III and sends him off on his journey.

It’s interesting to note that “Assignment: Earth” was initially penned as a pilot episode. Unfortunately, networks weren’t intrigued by it, causing it to be adapted instead as an episode of Star Trek. Gene Roddenberry and the team had hoped this would spark some interest, but their wishes didn’t materialize. As a result, the story found its way into a comic book, where Seven eventually saw it brought to life.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/tv-shows-ended-with-incredibly-annoying-cliffhangers/embed/#

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2025-07-13 03:10