This article contains spoilers for episode one of Suits L.A.Suits L.A.came out swinging during its highly anticipated series premiere. TheSuitsspin-offfocuses on Ted Black, a former federal prosecutor in New York who takes his expertise in law to Los Angeles, representing powerful clients and celebrities. However, Ted instantly finds himself in a crisis as his L.A. firm struggles to survive due to old friends turning against him. He also tackles a murder case and his father’s demise, along withSuits L.A.charactersErica Rollins and Rick Dodson breathing down Ted’s throat over who should be the head of entertainment.
As TV promos have shown,Gabriel Macht’s originalSuitscharacter, Harvey Specter, will star in the spin-off.The first episode ofSuits L.A.wisely doesn’t show Specter, instead choosing to have him appear later in the season so new characters can be fully developed. While Specter will now be a supporting or recurring character, he can stand alongside Black since both men are ruthless and egotistical in winning cases. The anticipation of Specter’s return also couldn’t come soon enough to see his transition from New York to L.A. and what happened to him since the end ofSuits.
Harvey Specter’s Suits LA Cameo Isn’t Happening Anytime Soon
New Characters Need Development Before Specter’s Appearance
Lex Scott Davis, who portrays Erica Rollins inSuits LA, mentions during a ScreenRant interview thatGabriel Macht’s return as Harvey Specterwill be a three-episode arc. However, Specter’s scenes haven’t been filmed yet, meaning that the originalSuitsstar may not appear until the middle to end of the season. Specter’s return is highly anticipated due to his impact on the original show, but his appearance won’t be rushed so that he can appear in the right place at the right time.
Suits LA Episode 1 Secretly Hints At Its True Protagonist (It Isn’t Ted Black)
Ted Black is the face of Suits LA, but Stephen Amell’s character might not be the Suits spinoff’s true protagonist after how episode 1 played out.
The fact that Specter’s scenes are yet to be produced is a calculating move for theSuits L.A.creators, who want to use this valuable character effectively and not just for a showy cameo appearance. The producers also want to ensure this new show attracts viewers each week, treating Specter’s return as an ace in the hole that will elevate the plot and enhance the show’s storylines moving forward. If Specter’s appearance succeeds in elevating the show’s viewership ratings, perhaps other memorableSuitscharacters like Jessica Pearsoncould return to the franchise.
What To Expect From Harvey’s Suits LA Cameo
Specter Will Make A Grand Entrance
Harvey Specter’sSuits L.A.cameo is expected to be a major boost for a show that’s trying to find its footingand engage the new characters in the series. WhileSuitscontains a combination of witty comedy and dramatic tension,Suits L.A.appears darker and more serious in tone due to Ted Black’s troubled family history and his dangerous clientele. Considering that Black is now pursuing a murder case in which Lester Thompson, a familiar entertainment client of his, is accused of killing his partner, Black will need all the help he can get.
Harvey Specter
Gabriel Macht
Specter will likely assist Black with Lester’s murder case, since Black is trying to maintain the reputation of his firm and keep it afloat. Considering Specter’s reputation for being a charming and highly diligent trial lawyer, he can give Black the boost he needs to win this case, which can include finding key evidence and working behind the scenes. Specter and Black are both ambitious lawyers who do whatever it takes to close a case, and seeing them potentially work together will be a duo of epic proportions.
Why Suits LA Needed To Push Back Harvey’s Cameo
Specter Will Make His Return At The Right Moment
It would’ve been easy to just bring back Harvey Specter in the first episode ofSuits L.A. However, the decision to have him appear later on in the season is a strategic move so that the first several episodes can focus on the new set of characters, including Rollins, Dodson, andStuart Lane. Having Specter make an early debut on this show would’ve disrupted the stories surrounding Black and the associates with his firm. It’s also important to distinguish that Black is a slightly different attorney compared to Spector, despite their similarities in ambition and ego.
Once the fresh characters have been emphasized, then it makes sense for Specter to introduce himself to the dog-eat-dog environment of L.A.and Hollywood. When Specter makes his return at the opportune moment, the show can depict not only his involvement in L.A. but also his marriage to Donna and what has happened to them ever since theSuitsseries finale. As Black’s backstory is unveiled throughout the season, his connection to Specter can be revealed as both men were attorneys in New York, hinting that they know each other and will unleash their bond down the road.
When Harvey’s Suits LA Cameo Might Happen
Specter Will Appear Later This Season
Whilethere is no specific timetable for when Harvey Specter will make his cameo appearances inSuits L.A., he will likely appear in the spin-off around the middle of or towards the end of the season. This is especially due to Specter’s scenes not being filmed yet and keeping the character’s involvement under tight wraps. However, Macht did tease Specter’s return on Instagram near the end of 2024, right before the time it was officially announced that the originalSuitsstar would play his most popular role after a six-year acting hiatus.
WhetherSuits L.A.may return for season twois unknown at this point. However, Specter’s presence is beneficial to the show’s success, as he passes the baton to a new set of characters trying to carry the legacy ofSuitsto the West Coast and build their own legal drama. Specter’s return could inspire other originalSuitscharacters to make a comeback, including Donna Paulsen, Mike Ross, Jessica Pearson, and even Duchess Meghan Markle’s Rachel Zane, as long as their presence doesn’t interfere with the new characters' stories.
Macht’s Specter is so far the only originalSuitscharacter returning, making him the bridge between the old and new series, and a reliable motivator to keep the franchise going.
It’s always a challenge to create a spin-off of a popular show likeSuits. This was evident when anotherSuitsspin-off,Pearson, was canceled after one season. ForSuits L.A.to succeed, the creators need to understand how to utilize the show’s characters and storylines without making them feel rehashed or convoluted. Macht’s Specter is so far the only originalSuitscharacter returning, making him the bridge between the old and new series, and a reliable motivator to keep the franchise going.
Suits L.A.airs on Sundays at 9 pm on NBC and the next day on Peacock.
Suits LA
Cast
Suits LA follows Ted Black, a former federal prosecutor who now represents influential clients in Los Angeles. As his law firm faces a critical juncture, Ted must navigate the challenges of a role he once disdained, balancing moral dilemmas with the demands of high-stakes legal battles.
