Aaron Korsh recently shared insights regarding the shortcomings of the first Suits spinoff, Pearson. Following a resurgence of interest in the original series in 2023 due to its streaming success, there has been a surge in enthusiasm for expanding the Suits franchise. While a revival featuring the beloved cast from Pearson and Hardman might have garnered attention, NBC opted for a fresh spinoff titled Suits LA, which introduces a brand-new cast. It’s interesting to note that this isn’t the franchise’s first attempt at broadening its narrative scope; it previously launched Pearson.
In a recent conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Korsh discussed the series led by Gina Torres and reflected on the reasons for its premature cancellation. The plot of Pearson centers around Jessica Pearson’s transition to Chicago, where she seeks to navigate the complexities of political power. Korsh noted a significant delay in the show’s development, stating, “It took the network a year to commit to making Pearson, resulting in a year and a half gap between the airing of the pilot and the subsequent episode.”He also acknowledged that straying too far from the fundamental elements that made Suits successful contributed to Pearson‘s demise, which concluded after just ten episodes. His full sentiment is captured in the quote below:
“We didn’t embrace its similarities to the original Suits. We made a conscious decision to try to distinguish it in tone. I think the fans were like, ‘This isn’t Suits. This is darker and not as funny.’
Strategies for Success in Suits LA
Korsh Learning from Pearson’s Experiences
Korsh’s reflections indicate that he has grasped the reasons behind Pearson‘s underperformance and aims to avoid similar pitfalls as the Suits universe progresses. As the primary creative force behind Suits LA, he possesses a keen understanding of what resonated with audiences in the original series and has the creative freedom to meld those lessons with insights drawn from both Pearson and its predecessor. Despite the new cast and storyline taking a separate path from the New York narrative, Suits LA has promising potential.
It is evident that while intriguing weekly legal cases were essential to the show’s longevity, the real appeal of Suits stemmed from its characters. Although Torres’s portrayal of Jessica was strong, the absence of a compelling ensemble in Pearson limited opportunities for dynamic interactions, resulting in a more lackluster political drama that failed to showcase the character’s charisma. In contrast, with Suits LA designed around a well-rounded ensemble, it stands a greater chance of capturing the same affection that fans had for the characters in Pearson and Hardman.
Analyzing the Factors Behind Pearson’s Failure
Ongoing Storylines Impacting Viewership
Another crucial aspect to consider is that when NBC rolled out Pearson, the original Suits series was still airing, albeit past its prime. Viewers remained captivated by the ongoing antics of Harvey, Louis, and Donna in New York, which likely overshadowed interest in Jessica’s journey in Chicago. This contrast possibly accentuated Pearson‘s failure to maintain the lighter comedic tone that characterized the original show. Ultimately, while the premise of Jessica’s pursuit in a different realm was promising, its execution did not resonate well with audiences.
Source: Entertainment Weekly