The end of any beloved TV series is bittersweet. In Suits‘ case, it wrapped things up with a surprisingly satisfying bow after nine seasons — a rare feat for a cable drama.
There was no real reason to bring it back unless the story demanded it and the cast was on board.
But in the years since the 2019 Suits series finale, the show pulled off something few shows ever do: it became bigger in death.
Thanks to streaming, the legal dramedy found a second life, climbing viewership charts and dominating conversation like it was 2013 all over again.
Naturally, the industry saw dollar signs. Talk of a revival, sequel, or spinoff kicked into overdrive. Enter: Suits LA.
On paper, it didn’t sound terrible. Shifting the action to Los Angeles and focusing on entertainment law was a smart way to differentiate it from the mothership (and the ill-fated Pearson).
A new lead, a new vibe, a sunnier zip code. Fine.
But that’s where the good decisions stopped.
Suits LA Failed Because It Desperately Tried to Emulate the Original
From the jump, Suits LA Season 1 lacked the spark — the crackling chemistry, the whip-smart banter, the iconic power dynamics that made Suits pop.
Instead, it offered up a lukewarm ensemble with no real gravitational pull between them.
Worse still, the writing didn’t seem to know what it wanted to be. The show hurled plotlines like darts in the dark, hoping one might hit.
In the process, character development was sacrificed, pacing was rushed, and by the time it finally found a rhythm, it was already too late.
What’s even more frustrating? By the end of the (now series) finale, there was the framework for a decent legal drama. Not great, but intriguing enough to spark hope for a stronger Season 2.
But rather than build something new, the show got stuck in legacy bait.
As the season progressed, it became painfully clear the creative team was more interested in cameo-hunting Suits alums than storytelling.
Bringing back fan favorites like Harvey Specter and Louis Litt became less about narrative and more about marketing.
And let’s be real — we all saw through it.
The most damning detail? Suits LA wasn’t even meant to be a Suits show. It was developed as an original legal drama before someone in a boardroom slapped the franchise label on it to cash in on the resurgence.
Without Ties to Suits, the Series Could Have Been a Hit
That corporate decision sealed its fate.
Attaching the Suits’ name brought in sky-high expectations — and a fanbase ready to pounce if those expectations weren’t met.
Gabriel Macht‘s return only added fuel to that fire. Don’t get me wrong: Harvey Specter is iconic. But if you’re going to tease his return, you better bring more than five minutes of smug charm and a monologue.
In the end, Suits LA spent too much time mimicking Suits without understanding what made it special. It tried to fake the swagger and stumbled right out of the gate.
As a Suits fan, I might’ve enjoyed this show more if it wasn’t connected to the franchise.
A legal drama about entertainment law? That’s juicy! That’s fresh! Even if it was a little messy, I’d still tune in.
Instead, Suits LA became a cautionary tale — one that networks and streamers should study closely.
Slapping a familiar IP on a new show doesn’t guarantee success. If anything, it sets the bar higher.
In a climate where execs are desperate to replicate past hits, Suits LA proves that no amount of branding can save a show that’s missing a core identity.
It had the cast. It had the concept. What it didn’t have was a reason to exist as a Suits spinoff.
What are your thoughts, Suits Fanatics?
Do you think the series could have survived if it stayed well away from the Suits universe?
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