NBCUniversal’s Suits spinoff series has named Stephen Amell as its leading actor and first confirmed cast member.
Musings of a spinoff have been circulating since last fall when Beatrice Springborn, president of Universal International Studios, said the studio was planning a spinoff with the “same energy and good-looking people” as the original series. On February 1, NBCUniversal ordered a pilot episode for Suits LA.
Amell, known for his work on the professional wrestling drama Heelz and DC comic series Arrow, is no stranger to spinoffs. After wrapping up Arrow, he reprised his Oliver Queen character in The Flash, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, and Batwoman, which all spun off from his original show. He will also play Garrett in the upcoming sci-fi flick Code 8: Part II.
For Suits LA, Amell will play Ted Black, a former New York federal prosecutor described as a “charismatic force of nature who puts his own needs above others.” Black moves to Los Angeles to reinvent himself and start a new firm. The series will intertwine his current life and fresh start while weaving in moments from his past that inspired his decision to leave New York.
Suits was a popular series during its initial run and became even more beloved after debuting on Netflix and Peacock last August, four years after the series finale. The show saw such a revival of interest that it became the top streaming series, clocking 57.7 billion minutes streamed last year, according to Nielse , and prompted the spinoff series.
Aaron Korsh wrote the original series and returns to the writer’s room for Suits LA. He also serves as executive producer with fellow Suits veterans David Bartis, Doug Liman, and Gene Klien. Victoria Mahoney will direct in addition to her role as executive producer.
Suits debuted on USA Network in 2011 and ran through 2019. It starred Patrick J. Adams, Gabriel Macht, Rick Hoffman, Meghan Markle, Wendell Pierce, Gina Torres, and Sarah Rafferty. While none of the cast has confirmed they will return, many have expressed an interest in a guest appearance, including Adams, Pierce, and Rafferty, who also volunteered Torres and Hoffman, according to NBC.
Suits L.A. will begin filming in Vancouver, Canada this March.