While Aaron Korsh’s Suits concluded in 2019 after running for nine seasons on the USA Network, the show saw a resurgence after smashing viewership records last year following its debut on Netflix. Following this notable spike in its numbers that left fans craving for more, NBC has now greenlit the first spin-off to the original show, which will star Arrow actor Stephen Amell in the lead.
But considering Amell infamously deemed the SAG-AFTRA strike a reductive tactic, stating that the whole situation was frustrating, some were taken aback by NBC’s decision to have Amell lead Suits: L.A. Reflecting on this surprising casting, Industry Insider Jeff Sneider, alongside John Rocha, touched on the possible reasoning behind NBC’s decision.
Industry Insider Jeff Sneider on NBC’s Possible Reasoning Behind Casting Stephen Amell
After facing extensive backlash for his statements against the strike, Stephen Amell claimed that his statements were misconstrued, and even partook in the strike later on. But in the recent episode of The Hot Mic with Jeff Sneider, John Rocha suggested that NBC might be rewarding Amell with Suits: L.A. for his stance on the strike. However, the notable Industry Insider wasn’t completely sure if that was the case, stressing that the Arrow Star might be forgiven.
But he did imply that NBC’s decision to cast Amell in the lead, who he deemed a bland actor, reflects that they might not have high expectations with it.
“Listen, there was a lot of sh-t said during the strikes from both sides. You know I think that stuff’s probably been forgiven and Stephen Amell is okay, I mean you know kind of bland actor, who they can throw in a bland show like suits.”
While time will tell if Suits: L.A. could hold a candle to the original, which did huge numbers after hitting Netflix last year, NBC is wasting no time on the development of the upcoming spin-off.
Suits: L.A. Will Have Same Energy as Its Predecessor Said Univeral Head
Although no official release date has been made public for the spin-off, a pilot for Suits: L.A. was greenlit by NBC earlier this month, with the production set to kickstart in Vancouver, Canada in March. Per Deadline, Victoria Mahoney is expected to helm the pilot, which Beatrice Springborn, president of Universal International Studios, previously stated will comprise the same energy as the main show.
“We are working on it right now,” she said.“[Suits: L.A.] have the same energy and good looking people that the original did. It is amazing-looking people in great clothes but at the core of it, you can’t have a show that’s successful with just that. It has to have great storytelling and great character work. So how do you do something that can be ongoing, have a gloss to it and be a continuing series that everyone wants?”
Considering Stephen Amell remains notable for his performance in CW’s Arrow, if the new spin-off does live up to its predecessor, it can be the next big thing for the actor.
