7 TV shows that were rejected before becoming smash hits

1. Breaking Bad

Before AMC picked it up, Breaking Bad was turned down by several major networks, including HBO, Showtime, and FX. Executives felt the premise—a chemistry teacher turning into a meth kingpin—was too dark, too risky, and lacked commercial appeal. It wasn’t until AMC, still relatively new to original drama, gave it a shot that the series took off. What followed was five seasons of groundbreaking television, dozens of awards, and an enduring legacy.

2. Friends

When the creators pitched Friends, NBC was initially lukewarm on the idea. The title and premise were considered too generic, and there were already several sitcoms about groups of young adults. Even after producing the pilot, the network had concerns about its appeal. But once it aired, Friends became a breakout hit, eventually defining a generation and running for 10 seasons with worldwide syndication.

3. The Big Bang Theory

The original pilot of The Big Bang Theory was rejected outright by CBS. Viewers found the characters unrelatable, and the humor fell flat. Instead of scrapping the idea, the creators reworked the cast (adding Penny, for example) and rebalanced the tone. CBS took a chance on the new version, and it went on to become one of the most successful sitcoms of the 21st century, running for 12 seasons.

4. Mad Men

Matthew Weiner wrote the pilot script for Mad Men years before it aired, but major networks like HBO and Showtime passed on it. They doubted its commercial viability, worried it was too slow-paced, and didn’t see a clear audience. AMC eventually bought the script as their first major original drama—and it kicked off a new era of prestige television, winning multiple Emmys and cementing Jon Hamm as a leading man.

5. The Office (U.S.)

NBC was nervous about adapting the beloved British version of The Office, fearing American audiences wouldn’t connect with its dry humor and awkward silences. The first season struggled with low ratings and lukewarm reviews. But the network gave it room to breathe, and by season two, the show had found its own voice. It became a comedy phenomenon, with a devoted fanbase and a second life on streaming platforms.

6. Game of Thrones

HBO greenlit Game of Thrones, but the original pilot was a disaster. The creators, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, admitted that the first version was so bad that even close friends didn’t understand the story. HBO rejected the original pilot, prompting a major reshoot and recasting of key roles (including Daenerys Targaryen). The improved pilot led to a full series order—and what followed was one of the most epic TV series in history.

7. Seinfeld

When Seinfeld was first pitched as The Seinfeld Chronicles, NBC had major doubts. Test audiences hated it, and executives thought the show was “too New York, too Jewish, and too quirky” for a national audience. The first season consisted of just four episodes. But slow and steady growth, word of mouth, and smart scheduling helped it gain traction. It eventually ran for nine seasons and changed the sitcom genre forever.

8. Squid Game

Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk wrote the script for Squid Game in 2008, but no one wanted to fund or produce it. Studios in South Korea thought the concept—a deadly survival competition exploring class disparity—was too violent and unrealistic. For over a decade, the project sat on the shelf. It wasn’t until Netflix began investing heavily in international content that the script found a home. Released in 2021, Squid Game became a global phenomenon almost overnight, reaching over 100 million viewers in its first month and becoming the most-watched show in Netflix history at the time.