Five Television Characters Who Should Have a Prequel Series

Prequels are an effective way to continue a popular television series because it doesn't have the constraints of keeping one or more cast members from the original, allowing for fresh (and cheaper) faces while also giving a bit more insight into how certain characters became who they are. 

They are, like most spin-offs, hit-or-miss as far as fans go. Some, like The Big Bang Theory prequel, Young Sheldon, were popular enough to last several seasons and inspire their own spinoff series. Others, like the Supernatural prequel, The Winchesters, were cancelled after just one season.

Meanwhile, there are some series that might have done surprisingly well with a prequel based on one or more of their characters but were never given the opportunity. Here are five characters I think would have been perfect for that.

Phoebe Buffay (Friends) - 

Of the six friends on Friends, Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) has the most interesting past. Her mother, who wasn't her real mother, committed suicide. She was homeless for a while, making friends with all sorts of interesting characters and spending time as a mugger. She has an estranged identical twin sister and probably dozens of other things from her past that are never mentioned, giving plenty of material for a prequel show centered around her.

Judge Harold T. Stone (Night Court) - 

One of the most intriguing things about Harry Stone (Harry Anderson) is the series never gave much detail about his life before he became a judge, at least as far as his legal career went. I know more about his failed attempt to become a magician than his time in law school, if he was a defense attorney or prosecutor and how he managed to even make the judge's list in the first place. A prequel series focusing on that could be fun to watch.

Sam and Dean Winchester (Supernatural).

Yes, there have been multiple attempts to build off the success of this series, including the beforementioned prequel, only to have them fail miserably. However, none of those series featured the two brothers (Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles). There is still lingering interest in reviving the series with the two stars but, barring that, a prequel series featuring their younger selves and digging deeper into their lives and relationship as kids could work, especially as they fight monsters alongside their dad and other hunters.

Sherman Potter (M*A*S*H)

I have mentioned a prequel series featuring Col. Potter (Harry Morgan) before but it's worth bringing it up again. The character, who joined M*A*S*H in season 4, was a career military man, lying about his age to join, serving in the cavalry through two World Wars before coming to Korea, becoming a surgeon and finding the love of his life. There are so many stories to tell.

__________________________________________________________________________

Here are some similar entries:

Four Television Series That Deserved a Second Season

Gilligan's Island: Five Times Gilligan Wasn't the One at Fault

Five Changes I Would Make to Project Runway

Three Storylines Left Unresolved by The Big Bang Theory