New production based on the series is being developed
Launched in 2011, Suits ran for nine seasons. Although its longevity is admirable, the series was only moderately successful, despite having good critical reviews. The turning point for the show’s rise in popularity, however, was in the hands of the streaming platforms.
Currently available in the Netflix catalog, Suits experienced a wave of new fans when it was added to the service. With the ease of access to the episodes, which exceeded the 100 mark, the demand for the production was so great that it led executives to make a decision that has been under speculation for some time: the creation of a new series inspired by the original.
With an unsuccessful spin-off in its history, the decision was once again questioned. Pearson, which premiered in mid-2019, followed the change of life and city of the character Jessica Pearson, played by the acclaimed American actress Gina Torres.
Pearson
Due to its low ratings, Pearson was canceled after just one season on the air, leaving open several storylines that could not be developed or finalized.
Although it’s common for spin-off series not always to touch the hearts of fans, the premature ending of the plot never fails to disappoint.
It’s worth noting that the series had Jessica as the only character known to the public, and as much as she was loved, it wasn’t enough to keep viewers’ attention on the screen. The new circle that surrounded her and the issues she dealt with didn’t captivate the audience that at that time was still consuming the original work.
The creator of Suits
The fear of not meeting expectations has already been shared by the series’ creator, Aaron Korsh. The American screenwriter and producer has revealed what he sees as the biggest barriers to this project.
Among the fears he cited were the strike by the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, which is nearing its end, as well as the lack of an established platform and the difficulty it would be to bring back the original cast. Amid this process, NBCUniversal had been trying to convince Korsh to embark on a new endeavor.
Set in a fictional law firm in New York, Suits followed the characters Mike Ross, played by Canadian actor Patrick J. Adams, and Harvey Specter, played by Gabriel Macht. At first, the focus of the series was on the relationship between the two, their professional partnership, and the secrets that united them.
Much loved by the public, Mike was a boy with an unparalleled memory who, despite being expelled from college, got an excellent grade on the law school entrance exam. On the other side is Harvey, a respected Manhattan lawyer who offers the other an associate position after learning of his talent. They both lie when they say that Mike went to Harvard and this lie is one of the pillars that will keep the two together.
Based on legal cases and their successful resolutions, over the years the narrative has diversified, the plot has opened up and the characters have gained new ramifications, without losing their fundamental essence.
New cast and storyline
Naturally, it would be difficult to assemble an entire cast for a revival or something like that, but if we’re talking specifically about the cast of Suits, the likelihood would be impossible: starting with Meghan Markle, who married Prince Harry and has practically retired from her career in Hollywood.
As with many productions, even reuniting the cast for the final season was not an easy task, which brings up the initial question of whether a spin-off production would have the same performance and frenzy as the original, especially thanks to the streaming service.
According to a recent report by Deadline, the new production is already in development, but there are still no details about the negotiations behind the scenes. Also according to this source, the series is not a revival, nor a reboot, much less a spin-off, which generates even more curiosity on the part of fans.
If it is confirmed that the plot will develop in the style of franchises such as the acclaimed CSI and NCSI series, it is quite likely that many eyes will once again turn to Suits, including those who, at the time it was shown, didn’t pay as much attention.
With production and platform yet to be defined, a good way of trying to measure the drama’s success is on social media. Creator Aaron Korsh himself was very surprised by the repercussions of the news. Through one of his networks, he commented: “I always thought we were underestimated, but it turns out that even I underestimated Suits,” he wrote.
Nostalgia and the future
Living in an era full of revivals, comebacks, and nostalgic elements, it is undeniable that various productions already known to the public are being observed and consumed through different and more attentive eyes, especially if they are under a nostalgic haze.
However, as much as the main elements of the original series are being promised for the new project, such as maintaining the work of the creator and the narrative that will be set in the universe that is already so well known and familiar to viewers, trying to recreate an acclaimed formula is not an easy task, much less a guaranteed one, especially considering the history of mistakes and successes.
Aired between 2011 and 2019, Suits has aired a total of 134 episodes, including ups and downs in ratings, award nominations, actors leaving the cast, and other aspects. The drama won a Korean remake broadcast in 2018, and although it is little known worldwide, this data is relevant to measure the reach of the franchise.
And while no new information is released, the good news is that all nine seasons of Suits are still available for streaming.
