2023 brought with it a massive resurgence for the NBC legal drama,Suits, as it broke records on the streaming platform, Netflix. The USA Network series ran from 2011 to 2019, and featured a leading cast includingGabriel Macht as Harvey Specter,Patrick J. Adamsas Mike Ross,Sarah Raffertyas Donna Paulsen, andGina Torresas Jessica Pearson. The aftershocks of the resurgence resulted in the upcoming spin-off,Suits LA, which takes the universe away from New York to the West Coast.Stephen Amell, who plays Ted Black, leads a new cast, which is set to tell new stories. However, there is a lingering skepticism that the spin-off will be too similar to the original.
Amell leads a cast that also includesLex Scott Davisas Erica Rollins,Bryan GreenbergasRick Dodsen, andJosh McDermittas Stuart Lane. The trio, alongside Amell’s Black, are set to lead the affairs of the entertainment firm, Black Lane, operating out of Los Angeles and catering tothe city’s A-listers. The show premieres on Sunday, February 23, on NBC, and whatever fans online have seen of the show comes from promotional materials released. Speaking on the concern that both shows might be too similar, Amell tellsThe Los Angeles Times, that fans should reserve their opinions till they see the show, saying:
“It’s weird because I’m playing a new character that a lot of people feel like is a reimagining of another character, but he’s not. Internet commentary is a very, very loud but very, very small portion of the overall fandom at large. If you are adamant that you’re not watching anything but the original show, God bless you. I kind of feel bad for you because it’s the same creative team, and it’s an extension of the universe. None of it really matters until the show airs.”
‘Suits LA’ and the Original are Very Different
Suits LAis developed byAaron Korsh, the creative responsible for making the original show. It is not surprising that assumptions and opinions are being shared ona show that has not yet aired. In this context, there isan existing body of workto be used as a reference. It is a burden thatSuits LAwill have to carry with it, seeking to establish itself in its own right. Creator Korsh has, however, vouched for both shows, saying:
“Suits LA is certainly not a copy of Suits. These characters are unique people with their own drives, their own desires, their own senses of humor, and their own things that tick them off.”
WhenSuits LAfinally premieres, the show will have one key component from the original series, for three episodes of its 10-episode first season. Macht will reprise his role as Harvey Specter. Given that the upcoming show has the same creators attached, it is likely that the tone which made the original a fan-favorite, will equally feature inSuits LA. Discussing the upcoming show,Macht previously teased, “A couple of the episodes that I’ve read are really good." Adding, “They’re right in line. Andif you’re a fan of the show, you’re just going to fall right into it.”
Suits LApremieres on February 23 at 9 PM ET on NBC. Stay with Collider for the latest updates.
