Suits LAmay have been a failure, but NBC may have sabotaged the spinoff before it even premiered. As many ofSuits LA’s initial reviewsechoed, the pilot episode felt confusing when viewing it as aSuitsspinoff. Some characters felt like carbon copies of original roles, while some creative choices felt too far removed from theSuitsfranchise’s brand.
The spinoff’s tonally dissonant identity contributed toSuits LA’s cancellation, along with low ratings and negative critical response. The lush entertainment law hook was rarely carried out, asSuits LAwas preoccupied with telling Ted Black’s (Stephen Amell) convoluted life story. Yet, one quote from the creator has completely changed my opinion of the show—Suits LAwas doomed to fail.
Aaron Korsh’s Originally Created Suits LA As A Comedy (& Not Part Of The Suits Franchise)
NBC’s Vision Eventually Overruled The Creator
Suits LAnever felt like a true spinoffsimply because the creator never intended it to be one— and it shows. Furthermore, the melodrama-laden pilot episode was initially meant to be much more comedic in tone. As creator Aaron Korsh revealed viaTelevision Academy,“When I originally wrote this pilot, it was not meant to be in the Suits universe.”
Succeeding one ofthe best legal dramas everis a daunting task, butKorsh writingSuits LAas a standalone series explains the disconnectmany viewers felt from the series premiere. Having an original concept and trying to tie it to an iconic title is like trying to force a square peg in a round hole: it just won’t work.
The crossovers and callbacks never convinced me thatSuitsandSuits LAcoexisted.
Despite subsequent attempts to strengthen the spinoff’s franchise connection, the crossovers and callbacks never convinced me thatSuitsandSuits LAcoexisted. Not even bringing back Gabriel Macht helped NBC’s failed legal drama. In fact,Harvey Specter’s disappointing return inSuits LAmay have hindered the spinoff and made it feel even more like an uncanny alternate universe ofSuits.
What Are The Chances That Suits LA’s Original Plan Could Have Saved It From Cancelation
It Would Have Been Much Better Than Forcing A Franchise Connection
IfSuits LAwere a completely new series, it would have had its own highs and lows. Without being a spinoff, the series wouldn’t have been able to market itself using the franchise’s image andSuitsfans’ nostalgia. Nevertheless,Suits LA’s confusing premisemay have been more clear if the show had more creative freedom.
All episodes ofSuitsandSuits LAare streaming on Peacock.
Undoubtedly, followingthe original plan of being comedy-forward would have helped. All the emotional flashbacks, stressful cliffhangers, and fierybetrayals inSuits LAmade the series feel heavy without enough levity to cut the tension. If its original vision had been followed,Suits LAmay have had the same flaws— but at least it wouldn’t have felt like an impostor.
