5 TV Shows Hollywood Will Never Let Die

It’s always great to see a TV show last a long time, but some shows just keep going and going! These series are set up to continue for the foreseeable future, as the networks and studios that own them aren’t willing to risk losing such popular franchises. They’ve become a permanent fixture on television.

Lots of popular TV shows and franchises have been around for a long time, and they keep getting new spinoffs, reboots, and extensions. This means they continue to thrive even after they’ve technically ended, becoming long-lasting entertainment hubs that don’t seem to have a natural conclusion.

Grey’s Anatomy (2005-Present)

This Medical Drama Keeps Finding New Ways To Regenerate Itself

No show better represents the trend of seemingly endless TV series than Grey’s Anatomy. Starting as a medical drama in the mid-2000s, it’s become a cornerstone of ABC, consistently getting renewed despite losing original cast members. Even when Ellen Pompeo, who plays Meredith Grey, reduced her role, the show continued successfully, simply adapting to the changes.

One reason Grey’s Anatomy has stayed on the air for so long is its ability to adapt. Just like real hospitals, the show regularly introduces new characters to reflect staff changes. This keeps the stories fresh with new relationships and dramatic events, and viewers consistently come back for more. It’s a predictable pattern – similar to a season-ending cliffhanger – and ABC understands it continues to be successful.

Grey’s Anatomy has remained popular through many changes in television. While many expected it to end after ten seasons, the show has proven remarkably durable, adapting to the rise of streaming, social media, and new ways people watch TV. Shonda Rhimes’ production company, Shondaland, is still highly regarded for quality drama on network television, and cancelling its most successful show wouldn’t be a smart business move.

Shows like Private Practice and Station 19 prove that the Grey’s Anatomy universe can easily grow and attract viewers. As long as people stay connected to the characters and world of Grey Sloan Memorial, Grey’s Anatomy will likely remain a long-running staple on ABC.

Law & Order (1990-Present)

This Procedural Universe Is Engineered For Infinite Expansion

Image via NBC

If you want to see how a TV show can launch a huge, ongoing franchise, look no further than Law & Order. Though the original series had a short pause in 2010, NBC quickly brought it back a decade later. The show’s structure is perfect for continuing indefinitely – new cases appear, detectives change, and the world of law and justice always provides fresh stories.

The enduring success of Law & Order comes from its consistently strong format, which has worked well for many years. While characters like Jack McCoy became well-known, the show doesn’t rely on any one actor. It easily introduces new cast members whenever people leave, keeping the familiar pace and style that viewers expect.

What’s truly remarkable is that Law & Order isn’t just one show—it’s a whole collection of series, and NBC clearly values it as a valuable asset. Special Victims Unit, starring Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), has become one of the longest-running dramas ever made, and Law & Order UK successfully brought the franchise to an international audience. Each spin-off strengthens the Law & Order brand and attracts new viewers.

As a long-time fan, I was thrilled to see the original Law & Order come back in 2022. It really brought the whole franchise together and gave NBC what they always want: a solid night of dependable, weekly TV. What’s amazing is how fresh the show still feels, even after all these years. It’s not just a TV series, it’s a machine for making content, and as long as people keep watching, I have a feeling NBC will keep it going.

The Walking Dead (2010-2022)

This Zombie Franchise Refuses To Stay Dead

Originally, The Walking Dead was a bold horror series following Rick Grimes, but it quickly became a huge success for AMC. Even after the original show ended in 2022, the network continued to expand the world with new shows and stories, proving the franchise is here to stay.

The enduring popularity of The Walking Dead stems from the universal appeal of a world falling apart. The show’s premise could happen anywhere, and AMC has successfully built upon this with a variety of spin-off series. Fear the Walking Dead lasted for eight seasons, and newer shows like The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, The Walking Dead: Dead City, and The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live are continuing to expand the story.

Despite declining viewership, AMC continued to invest in The Walking Dead instead of pulling back. The franchise is still the network’s most well-known asset, and its streaming service, AMC+, depends on the show’s dedicated fans. It’s rare to find a series with such a committed audience who will watch all the different TWD shows and spin-offs.

The franchise consistently finds new life by introducing fresh settings, character relationships, and approaches to survival with each installment. As long as zombies stay popular and AMC continues to attract viewers, the world of The Walking Dead seems destined to continue far beyond the typical lifespan of most television series.

Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)

This Fantasy Juggernaut Keeps Spawning More Stories From Westeros

Although the original Game of Thrones concluded in 2019, HBO still sees the world of Westeros as a hugely important part of its future. Despite the controversial ending, interest in the show has remained strong, leading HBO to expand the story with several prequel series. This means Game of Thrones will essentially live on indefinitely through new shows and stories.

HBO’s biggest hit recently, House of the Dragon, brought a renewed interest in the complex world of the Targaryens, their power struggles, and family conflicts. Characters like Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen, played by Emma D’Arcy and Matt Smith respectively, became popular topics of discussion, showing that viewers were eager to return to the universe created by George R.R. Martin. As a result, HBO quickly began developing more shows and content within that world.

Besides House of the Dragon, HBO is still working on other shows set in the Game of Thrones universe, including a potential sequel starring Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and the new series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Even projects that haven’t moved forward show how determined HBO is to explore this world, as the franchise remains incredibly successful and profitable.

While the main story of the show has concluded, the world it created still has plenty of potential for future exploration. Thanks to large budgets, a dedicated global fanbase, and a strong brand, HBO is expected to keep producing stories set in Westeros for many years to come. Though the franchise might not reach the same level of popularity as the original series, it’s definitely not over, and Hollywood isn’t giving up on it anytime soon.

The Simpsons (1989-Present)

An Animated Icon That Refuses To Bow Out After Decades On The Air

I honestly can’t believe The Simpsons is still on the air! It started way back in 1989, and it’s now officially the longest-running scripted show in American history. What’s even more amazing is that Disney seems completely committed to keeping it going. It’s just incredible how it’s managed to stay popular through all the changes in TV, different trends, and even cast members leaving. It really is unmatched!

As a long-time viewer, what always strikes me about The Simpsons is how effortlessly it stays relevant. Because the characters – Homer, Marge, the whole crew – don’t age, the writers have this incredible freedom. They can constantly hold a mirror up to society and offer sharp cultural commentary without being limited by the characters’ lifespans or real-world time constraints. It’s a real storytelling superpower, and honestly, very few shows can do what The Simpsons does.

The impact of The Simpsons goes far beyond the television show. Through merchandise, theme park rides, short films, and partnerships, it’s become a hugely successful and enduring brand, popular with audiences of all ages. When Disney bought Fox, it strengthened The Simpsons‘ position even further, guaranteeing its continued success on Disney+ and other platforms. That level of brand recognition and value is incredibly rare for companies.

Despite claims that its best years are behind it, The Simpsons continues to draw a large audience, making further seasons worthwhile. The show still generates buzz on social media, attracting both longtime fans and new viewers. As long as there are still stories to tell in Springfield and Disney sees its value, it seems The Simpsons will remain a cultural fixture for years to come.

2025-11-15 03:31