The courtroom drama has officially adjourned: NBC has pulled the plug on Suits: L.A. after just one season. The decision comes just ahead of the series’ season one finale, which is still set to air on May 18, but it will now serve as the show’s unexpected swan song.
A Brief Run for a Bold Revival
Suits: L.A., the highly anticipated spinoff of the original Suits franchise, attempted to breathe new life into the beloved legal dramedy by shifting the action from Manhattan’s skyscrapers to the glitter and grit of Los Angeles. The series starred Arrow’s Stephen Amell as Ted Black, a former New York federal prosecutor who repositions himself as a top entertainment lawyer in L.A. The spinoff explored both his personal reinvention and the morally gray world of celebrity legal battles.
Though Ted Black was a fresh face, the show also banked on nostalgia. Gabriel Macht returned as the fan-favorite Harvey Specter in several episodes, bridging the old and new worlds. Rick Hoffman also reprised his role as the delightfully neurotic Louis Litt, providing a much-needed connection to the original’s magic. The ensemble cast was rounded out by Lex Scott Davis as Erica Rollins, Josh McDermitt, and Bryan Greenberg.
A Ratings Hit That Never Was
Despite these callbacks, Suits: L.A. struggled to find its footing. It lacked the biting wit and chemistry that made Suits a runaway hit during its 2011–2019 run on USA Network. Viewers who had rediscovered Suits during its record-breaking Netflix run in 2023—logging an eye-popping 57.7 billion minutes watched in the U.S. alone—were eager for more, but the spinoff never delivered the same spark.
NBC hoped to capitalize on this revived interest in the franchise. However, Suits: L.A. faced stiff headwinds, including lukewarm reviews, poor ratings, and an episodic weekly network release schedule that felt outdated for today’s binge-focused streaming audience.
Critics widely noted that the spinoff lacked the character chemistry and razor-sharp dialogue that defined the original. Without Meghan Markle’s Rachel Zane or the central dynamic between Harvey and Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), the show leaned heavily on its L.A. backdrop and new legal dilemmas—but failed to resonate.
Spinoff Curse: A Pattern Repeats
This marks the second time a Suits spinoff has failed to gain traction. In 2019, Pearson, which followed Gina Torres’ Jessica Pearson into the political underworld of Chicago, was also canceled after a single season. Like Suits: L.A., it featured strong talent and ambitious storylines but struggled to attract a sustainable audience.
Can the Franchise Still Make a Comeback?
Despite the disappointing end of Suits: L.A., all may not be lost for fans of the franchise. Series creator Aaron Korsh has expressed interest in reviving the original series in some form. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Korsh mentioned the idea of a reunion movie as something he’s open to exploring.
“I was very satisfied with the way Suits ended, and at some point we might do a Suits movie. That could be fun,” Korsh said, adding that it’s still in the “hypothetical stages,” but not out of the question.
Rick Hoffman, a longtime staple of the franchise, also voiced his enthusiasm about reprising his iconic role of Louis Litt. “No thoughts, without a doubt. I would absolutely be interested. How could somebody say no to a character that changed their life?” Hoffman shared with EW, expressing his love for the role and the experience of working on Suits.
Meghan Markle’s Lasting Influence
It’s hard to ignore the cultural footprint left by Meghan Markle, whose portrayal of Rachel Zane not only captivated audiences during her seven-season run but also helped fuel the show’s resurgence. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos even remarked in 2025, “People are fascinated with Meghan Markle,” noting that her presence significantly boosted product sales and viewership tied to the show.
The absence of her star power, combined with the lack of the original’s central duo and storytelling depth, left Suits: L.A. in a tough position. It tried to forge a new identity while leaning heavily on legacy, but ultimately couldn’t bridge the gap between old and new fans.
A Broader Shake-Up at NBC
The cancellation of Suits: L.A. comes amid wider changes at NBC. The network has been reevaluating its programming slate, recently canceling other shows such as The Irrational and Night Court. With growing competition from streaming platforms and a shift in viewer habits, network TV is under pressure to innovate—or cut losses quickly.
Final Verdict
Suits: L.A. had promise on paper: a beloved franchise, charismatic leads, and a shiny new setting. But its failure to match the intensity, character dynamics, and cultural relevance of the original Suits proved too much to overcome. With only one season to its name, the show closes its case early—another reminder that even the most iconic legacies don’t guarantee success in a new era of television.
While the courtroom may be empty for now, fans still hold out hope that Korsh and the original cast could someday reunite for one last, headline-making case. Until then, we’ll always have Suits—and maybe, someday, its big-screen moment.