backdoor pilot
Stealth series introduction
A backdoor pilot is a television episode, usually of an established series, designed to introduce characters and settings for a potential spinoff show.
Rather than producing a standalone pilot that might never air, networks test audience response by embedding the new concept within an existing successful program.
The episode felt like a backdoor pilot for the detective's sister.
If the episode performs well, the spinoff gets greenlit; if not, it simply remains an episode of the original series.
- episodeSerialized content unit
- sceneDramatic unit or locale
- spinoffDerived work from original
- setArrange in position
- televisionBroadcast viewing device
shared universe · guest · crossover · showrunner · prototype · series · debut · introduction · anthology series · script · proof of concept · character arcs · story arc · plotline · cameo · scriptwriting · reveal · pitch