Arrow star Stephen Amell is cast as the lead in the Suits spinoff show, titled Suits L.A.. The NBC drama has received a pilot order and the production is set to begin in March with Victoria Mahoney directing and executive producing the pilot. However, Amell’s casting has been an issue that generated widespread criticism, especially in the wake of his comments against the SAG-AFTRA strikes.
The New Girl actor later went back on his words and even picketed alongside his co-workers in the industry in front of the Warner Bros. Discovery offices in New York. However, many are not ready to forgive the actor as evident from their response to Amell’s casting news.
Stephen Amell’s Casting In Suits Spin-Off Angers Many Fans
Stephen Amell will play Ted Black, a former federal prosecutor, who reinvents his career in Los Angeles in Suits L.A.. The new spinoff in the Suits universe comes from Aaron Korsh, creator and writer of the original series. According to Deadline, the logline of the series describes Amell as “a charismatic force of nature who puts his own needs above others.” Amell is famously known for his role as Oliver Queen on CW’s Arrow and as Jack Spade in Starz’s wrestling drama Heels.
Fans are not entirely on board with the idea of Amell leading the Suits spin-off. The Code 8 actor sparked controversy during the SAG-AFTRA strikes when he publicly criticized the strikes at a fan convention in North Carolina. He shared that he supported his Union but did “not support striking”. Amell shared (via Deadline):
“I support my union, I do, and I stand with them, but I do not support striking, I don’t. I think it is a reductive negotiating tactic, and I find the entire thing incredibly frustrating. And I think the thinking as it pertains to shows like the show that I’m on [Heels], that premiered last night, I think it’s myopic.”
He later clarified on his Instagram that he didn’t support striking but the Union had to do what they had to do (via THR). He apologized and shared that he was frustrated with his show Heels‘ fate. He also joined the picketing in New York. However, many fans seemed not satisfied with his apology and were angered when he was cast on the new show. Some shared their disappointment with the actor not facing any consequences, while others were just not happy to see him replace Gabriel Macht, who played Harvey Spector in Suits.
Despite criticizing SAG-AFTRA and his fellow actors for striking to get the fair pay they deserved, Stephen Amell has unfortunately gotten yet another job, this time as the lead in ‘SUITS: L.A’.
(via Deadline) pic.twitter.com/ueRCXoeS4E
— One Take News (@OneTakeNews) February 13, 2024
White dudes always fail up. Stephen Amell is one of the most wooden actors on the scene. He broke scabbed during the strike by promoting his now-canceled wrestling show while his colleagues were picketing.
And now he's leading a network series. pic.twitter.com/inexpovWlr
— Small Screen Girl (@KiraJW) February 13, 2024
Stephen Amell said all that loser shit last year, can't act worth a damn and still got a new job.
— Clive Daddy Rosfield (@Asymetricalhomo) February 13, 2024
First of all no one asked for another Suits spin off. They tried it with Pearson and failed. They can never get the same magic they created with Harvey and Mike. And then a spin-off with Stephen Amell as the lead? ?? pic.twitter.com/AKB6k6dgKy
— F. ✨ (@Frances__O) February 13, 2024
going from gabriel macht to stephen amell is like the biggest downgrade in the history of downgrades
— kara (@sloansavery) February 13, 2024
#SuitsLA cast Stephen Amell. One reason may be because he is not a beloved actor. He’s selfish. Suits casting needs somebody nobody is rooting for now. Room to grow. Getting people riled up this early is good. Terence Black as a character not starting as a fan fave has potential. pic.twitter.com/I1uC4UpO3t
— Maureen 🌴🏖 ✍🏾😷🖖🏾 (@Maureen2) February 13, 2024
The comment about SAG-AFTRA strikes was only the actor’s latest in a line of controversial remarks and actions in the past. Stephen Amell took a break from social media following the backlash against a comment that allegedly trivialized the arrest of a student for bringing a digital clock to school in Irving, Texas (via CBR).
Stephen Amell’s Controversial Past May Be One Reason Many Fans Refuse To Forgive Him
Stephen Amell came under fire for allegedly issuing a mock apology when called out for allegedly disrespecting Black names by ignoring the acute accent in Beyoncé‘s name (via Twitter). During the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, Amell commented that racism was a systematic problem, but he had “not seen it in action.” Comic book writer Tee Franklin called him out and Amell responded with an apology comment that allegedly felt condescending to Franklin (via Us Weekly).
The Heartland actor made headlines when he was asked to leave a Delta Air Lines flight for allegedly yelling at his wife, Cassandra Jean. Appearing on the podcast Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum, Amell revealed that he had been intoxicated while boarding the plane. He also addressed his tweet about the incident which called the whole thing “an argument”. Amell shared with Michael Rosenbaum:
“I referred to it as an argument between my wife and I. It was not an argument. This is 100 percent my fault. I feel like I went the better part of 10 years without being an a**hole in public. I was an a–hole in public. [Cassandra] was frankly even more pissed when I said ‘argument’ as opposed to ‘pick a fight.’”
Controversies apart, Stephen Amell’s Arrow character had a cult following among DC fans. Arrow is now available for streaming on Netflix, while Heels is available for rent on AppleTV+.
