Blast from the past: TV shows that came back from the dead

Nothing lasts forever – particularly true when it comes to some of our favourite TV shows.

Programmes like Spaced, The Office, The Inbetweeners and My So-Called Life ended too soon – while time was also called on long-running titles such as Ninja Warrior UK, Soccer AM and Doctors.

But sometimes, shows that were cancelled or drew to a natural conclusion get a revival – either a continuation with familiar characters or a fresh start with a new cast.

BBC Bitesize takes a look at some of the TV shows that came back from the dead.

Scrubs

Ironically for a TV show set in a hospital, Scrubs spent most of its original run on life support.

Critically acclaimed and with a dedicated, cult fanbase, Scrubs, a comedy about young medical professionals, first hit screens on the US NBC network in October 2001, making its way to the UK shortly afterwards.

But throughout its original run, US viewership declined and the show was constantly at risk of being cancelled.

Midway through its seventh series, NBC announced it would not be renewing the show. Rival network ABC swooped in to give the show an eighth series – presumed to be its last.

It was written as a final series and was well received by fans – and then came the news that they were back for more, a divisive spin-off ninth series that wasn’t popular and was swiftly cancelled in March 2010.

However, the original iteration of the show still proved popular, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our appetite for nostalgia, supported by watchalong podcasts, in this case hosted by the show’s stars Zach Braff and Donald Faison, put Scrubs back at the forefront.

The show’s original creator Bill Lawrence – fresh from hits like Ted Lasso and Shrinking - revealed he was working on bringing the show back, but only if he could secure the original cast.

They agreed – as did the ABC network, who commissioned a tenth series of Scrubs that returns in February 2026.

Much of what has happened to the characters while they’ve been away remains unknown before the first episode airs – but JD, Turk and Elliot’s adventures at Sacred Heart Hospital will be a welcome return for fans.

Gladiators

The larger-than-life superheroes of ITV’s Gladiators dominated screens in the 1990s, but it’s arguable that the current BBC lineup of super-fit athletes are even more popular.

Gladiators began back in the late 1980s in the United States – with American Gladiators hitting screens stateside in 1989. ITV spotted the popularity of the show and started showing the US episodes late at night the following year.

ITV started developing their own version of the show and in 1992, stars like Jet and Wolf crashed onto UK TV screens and the show was an instant success.

But, over eight series, audiences started to fade and the final episode of the run aired on 1 January 2000.

American Gladiators had also been axed in the 1990s, but was brought back in 2008 for two series, which inspired a British revival.

Sky One took over, with a new look and feel – and controversially, without the classic theme tune. They also introduced water – with unsuccessful competitors in Dual and Hang Tough making a splash instead of landing on crash mats.

The show didn’t reach the heights of the 90s version and only lasted two series. A second return didn’t seem to be on the cards.

So it came as some surprise in 2022, when it was revealed that the BBC were looking to bring Gladiators back for a new generation.

The revival of the show, which first aired in 2023, saw millions of viewers tune in and a return of a classic Saturday night family viewing experience.

Legend, Diamond, Fury and Viper all became household names as the show became – and remains – appointment viewing.

This time, where the UK led, the US follows – hot on the heels of the British success, American Gladiators is also set for a revival.

Malcolm in the Middle

When Breaking Bad was first broadcast, many couldn’t get past the idea of seeing one of their favourite TV dads getting up to all kinds of illegal activity.

Audiences had grown up with Bryan Cranston’s delightful performances as Hal and imagined an alternate universe where Malcolm’s hapless father turns to a life of crime.

The online fantasy threads about this idea came to reality in an alternate Breaking Bad ending, where Cranston’s Hal wakes from a nightmare in bed alongside Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) having dreamt the entire show’s premise.

The scene illustrated just how loved Malcolm in the Middle was – it was so popular in the UK that originally it aired on both Sky One and BBC Two.

The sitcom told the story of middle-child Malcolm (Frankie Muniz), a child genius and his dysfunctional family. First airing in early 2000, the show was one of the first of the 21st Century to dispense with the traditional in-studio sitcom setup in front of a live audience and also included fourth wall-breaking pieces to camera.

Malcolm in the Middle ran for seven series, ultimately cancelled due to declining viewership, but with enough time to run a satisfying conclusion – as Malcolm graduated high school and was accepted to study at Harvard University.

20 years later – and the show is now set to return for a four episode miniseries entitled Malcom in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, with the subtitle referencing a line in the original programme’s theme tune.

Cranston had spoken at length about wanting to play Hal again, with Muniz also supporting a return – but only with the key players and original show creator involved.

With the cast signed up to come back, the Disney+ revival sees the characters brought together to celebrate Hal and Lois’ 40th wedding anniversary – where presumably almost nothing will go to plan.

This article was published in February 2026