'Sex and the City' and other resurrected TV hits
Fans of J. R. Ewing, Carrie Bradshaw and Dale Cooper already know: From "Sex and the City" to "Twin Peaks," here are TV shows that got the revival treatment.
'Sex and the City' (1998-2004)
Love, sex, money and great shoes: "Sex and the City" wanted to prove to women around the world that you can indeed have it all. But having it all will also come at a cost. The series follows the ups and downs of four friends who each wear their hearts on their sleeves in their very own inimitable style, talking about sex in a way that prior to the show was considered a male domain.
'And Just Like That...' (2021)
Kim Cattrall decided to bow out for "And Just Like That," the much-awaited revival of the "Sex and the City" franchise. But how have the other three protagonists changed in the decade since the last movie was released? A new chapter begins for Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte, as they embrace middle-age and continue to show off the hottest fashion labels.
'Dallas' (1978-1991)
Glitz, glamour, shoulder pads, southern drawl and loads and loads of oil: Dallas brought two feuding Texas clans to our box TVs from 1978 to 1991. The scheming and intrigue at Southfork Ranch, however, also addressed contemporary issues, such as alcoholism. Some episodes were watched by as many as 360 million people in 57 countries.
'Dallas' (2012-2014)
With some old faces and some newer ones, Dallas returned to our screens for two years in 2012. In most ways, it picks up where it had left off two decades earlier, with the heirs to the Ewing and Barnes families vying for power. However, only a few million viewers followed the plotline, forcing producers to end the franchise due to plummeting ratings.
'Dynasty' (1981-1989)
For those not so keen on getting their hands dirty in crude oil, "Dynasty" provided a cleaner and meaner backdrop. The extravagant antics of British actress Joan Collins in the role of Alexis Carrington are among the most memorable scenes in TV history. After all, a 48-room mansion set in Denver, Colorado needs some equally grand characters to fill that space.
'Dynasty' (2017-2021)
Since May 2017, the "Dynasty" revival has been attracting audiences around the globe, mainly on streaming platforms. The show took many liberties, changing the genders and ethnicities of certain beloved characters from the original run and setting them in present-day Atlanta. This approach appears to have worked, as the show is just about to air its fifth series in late 2021.
'Twin Peaks' (1990-1991)
TV audiences were glued to their screens when David Lynch's TV series "Twin Peaks" first aired in 1990. Set in a quirky mountain town, the show combined telenovela elements with supernatural narratives, while FBI agent Dale Cooper (played by Kyle MacLachlan) tried to solve the mystery behind the murder of popular prom queen Laura Palmer.
'Twin Peaks: The Return' (2017)
More than 25 years later, "Twin Peaks" returned to the delight of fans around the world. Besides the fictive eponymous town, the show moved to locations across the US and beyond, with a good portion of the storyline taking place in Las Vegas. The series explores the origins and nature of evil, using powerful imagery to send its viewers onto a dark journey, while never tying up loose ends.
'Beverly Hills, 90210' (1990-2000)
Who did not want to move to Beverly Hills in the 1990s, which had the most coveted US zip code at the time? 90210 followed a group of high school students who seemed to have it all as they transitioned into adulthood, all while dealing with petty drama. The series addressed a lot of hot topics in the 90s and launched the careers of actors like Jason Priestley, Luke Perry and Shannen Doherty.
'BH90210' (2019)
90210 witnessed about a half dozen attempts to revive the series, but none was as anticipated — and awkward — as the 2019 version of the franchise, in which much of the original cast return, playing themselves as has-been actors trying to relaunch the series. It was possibly too meta for younger audiences, as the show got cancelled after only one series. Still, avid fans of the series were happy.
'Will & Grace' (1998-2006)
The award-winning sitcom "Will & Grace" introduced a cast of characters that was revolutionary for the late 1990s. Both the male lead and the corresponding supporting role are gay; their female counterparts portray their respective best friends. The four friends are intertwined into each other's lives much like family. Acerbic punchlines and plenty of canned laughter were part of the fun.
'Will & Grace' (2017-2020)
The cast of "Will & Grace" reunited for more fun and frolics in 2017. Following a web special in 2016 asking its fans to go vote, the producers realized that audiences were ready for more. In the course of three new seasons, the four characters explore middle-age with great sensitivity and humor. However, the revival achieved only half the viewer numbers compared to the original seasons.