5 American TV shows you didn’t know were adapted from non-english series

05. The Good Doctor

adapted from Good Doctor (South Korea)

This series starring Freddie Highmore premiered just last year, and is rumoured to be… good? Medical tv shows are usually a success, though I haven’t seen much hype going around for the The Good Doctor. It is from the creators of House, so there’s some potential there for sure. Have you guys seen it?? The Good Doctor is based on a popular and award winning South Korean series of the same name. Not sure if it falls under the K-drama category, but it’s bound to pick up some western fans if they catch on to it.

04. The Killing

adapted from Forbrydelsen (Denmark)

Now here’s a show I’m actually intent on watching. This AMC show is a crime thriller tv series based on the Danish show, Forbrydelsen. Supposedly it’s available on Netflix, but sadly not in Portugal’s. The Killing stars Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman as detectives, and is supposed to be pretty dark and macabre – just how I like ’em. Europe does this quite well (being European, I’m allowed to make these gross generalizations), so I wouldn’t be surprised if the original show was great, too.

03. Ugly Betty

adapted from Yo soy Betty, la fea (Comlombia)

As with the previous pick, I already knew Ugly Betty was based on the Colombian tv show Yo soy Betty, la fea. As you’ll see below, when americans get inspired by latin americans, things usually work out. The result are funny, heart-warming shows you can’t let go of. Looking back, Ugly Betty might feel a bit dated, but its core is still as charming as ever.

02. Homeland

adapted from Prisoners of War (Israel)

Here’s another one I haven’t seen but am surprised to learn it’s based on another series! The israeli tv show Prisoners of War inspired the american spy thriller series Homeland, still going strong after seven seasons (though the eight might be its last). Homeland is widely regarded as a good show, but I’m not rushing to watch it. If you’ve seen it and love it, let me know in the comments why I should give it a try!

01. Jane the Virgin

adapted from Juana la Virgen (Venezuela)

Told you all good things came from Latin America. Adapted from the Venezualan series of the same name, Juana la Virgen, Jane the Virgin remains one of my favorite tv shows on the air, and possibly of all time. I love it because it pokes fun while paying homage to a type of content I, and many latins, grew up watching: telenovelas. It takes on all the tropes, exaggerates to the point of satire in some bits, and adds some realness into an otherwise ridiculous plot. It goes way being just being funny and cute – Jane The Virgin is freaking genius.

And it’s funny because our cultures are not exactly similar, but I swear my grandma’s room looks exactly like Alba’s. But wether or not your own grandmother has an appreciation for catholic saints and telenovelas, Jane the Virgin is well worth your time – and you’ll be just in time for its final season.

Have you seen any of these shows? Share your own picks below!

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