Suits LA review: flashy spinoff borrows from the original but charts its own course

The legacy of Suits lives on in Suits LA, the stylish new spinoff with a distinctive West Coast vibe and a brand-new team of legal eagles making a splash in Los Angeles. What to Watch previewed the first three episodes of the new series and without question, the move to LA breathes new life into the franchise’s storied legacy.

Suits LA was greenlit while the original series enjoyed an unprecedented debut on Netflix in the summer of 2023, shattering viewership records and developing a whole new legion of fans. The spinoff charts its own course, while borrowing from the original series, resulting in an entertaining viewing experience

There are plenty of comparisons to draw between Suits LA and its predecessor. The designer clothes are there. The fancy high-rise offices full of glass and polished wood are there. Even the "Greenback Boogie" is there. But so too are palm trees, celebrity appearances, plentiful sunshine and men who wear designer sneakers with their business suits because that's how LA rolls. Most of the background elements are there but a major difference is that Black Lane Law's focus is on entertainment law and criminal law, giving the show a very refreshing new playground to explore.

Suits LA features Stephen Amell (Arrow) as Ted Black, a former federal prosecutor from New York (hence the Harvey Specter connection) who moved to Los Angeles 15 years ago to start a new life with a focus on entertainment law. Black quickly rises to become one of the top and most highly sought-after entertainment lawyers in Tinseltown. Together with his best friend, Stuart Lane (The Walking Dead alum Josh McDermitt), a brilliant criminal defense attorney, they form Black Lane Law. Rick Dodson (Bryan Greenberg) and Erica Rollins (Lex Scott Davis) are the shining stars at Black Lane. They both hope to be named head of entertainment at the firm and the ambitious attorneys have no problem stepping over each other to secure the role.

Amell’s Ted is cocky and brash. There are moments where you can close your eyes and swear Harvey Specter is talking. Unlike Harvey, though, there’s a darkness in Ted that lies just beyond the surface. McDermitt is fun to watch as Stuart; the defense attorney is self-assured and cool under pressure. Ted leans on his assistant, Roslyn (Azita Ghanizada) for support, and though Ghanizada is very different from Sarah Rafferty’s Donna, there’s no question that the legacy lives on.

Creator Aaron Korsh doesn’t pull any punches with the new series. The pilot episode not only drops viewers into a high-profile murder case but also some very heavy behind-the-scenes drama at the firm and in his personal life that leaves Ted reeling.

At the heart of Suits was the relationship between Gabriel Macht’s Harvey Specter and Patrick J. Adams’ Mike Ross. Mike was the Robin to Harvey’s Batman, a dynamic duo blazing a fiery trail through New York courtrooms. LA’s Ted Black is a loner (dare we say he’s more of the Green Arrow type?) but he has a great team to help him tackle challenges thrown at him. Since entertainment law is all about contracts and negotiations, most of the legal action takes place around a conference table or during dinners at expensive restaurants. This gives the ensemble plenty of time and space to shine as they battle for their clients.

One of the biggest and most notable differences between the series is the lack of swearing in Suits LA. Thanks to its home on network television, Suits LA is forced to keep things squeaky clean whereas Suits never shied away from colorful language — indeed, they were dropping f-bombs by season 7. The banter is still sharp, though, particularly between Rick and Erica, for whom bickering is a spectator sport.

Suits started off with a bang while Suits LA takes a slower approach. The pilot moves slower than the second and third episodes; once the foundation is set, the pace picks up. There’s a lot to take in right away in the pilot and the show does a good job helping to introduce the cast without making it too much of a distraction.

Suits LA has lots of room to grow. The show is entertaining with interesting characters and lots of potential, and there are lots of opportunities for cameos. Yes, Harvey Specter is scheduled to show up and there’s a good chance that other members of the Pearson Specter Litt team could show up, too. That said, Suits LA works just fine on its own and will no doubt have a bright future in the warm Los Angeles sunshine.

Suits LA premieres Sunday, February 23, at 9 pm ET/PT on NBC, with new episodes available to stream the following day on Peacock.