Okuzeka
Film & Television vocabulary · Television Formats and Series

Backdoor pilot

Meaning in film & television, with examples

nounCommon term

In film & television, backdoor pilot means: An episode of an existing series that introduces characters or a premise for a possible new series.

In Turkish: mevcut dizi içinden pilot bölüm

How it is used

Used in series development; the episode belongs to an existing show while testing another concept.

Example sentences

  1. The backdoor pilot follows the detective's sister in a new coastal town.

    A supporting connection introduces a potential new lead and setting.

  2. The network aired the backdoor pilot but did not order the proposed series.

    Broadcasting the test does not guarantee a separate programme.

Common collocations

  • develop a backdoor pilot
  • backdoor pilot episode
  • seriesA TV or streaming programme made of many episodes that share the same characters, subject or story.
  • episodeOne part of a TV series, podcast or web series that is broadcast or released as a separate programme.

More terms: Television Formats and Series

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: