Suits LA, a legal drama derived from the acclaimed series Suits, has not quite met expectations since its debut. Speculation about a potential cancellation looms, as NBC evaluates the show’s performance following its first season. The original series, which aired on the USA Network for nine seasons with a total of 134 episodes, gained substantial acclaim during its run. Notably, Suits saw a significant revival in popularity after its addition to Netflix’s platform in 2023, becoming the most-streamed series of that year, despite concluding four years earlier. This success led NBC to attempt to capitalize on the original show’s momentum.
Currently, new episodes of Suits LA premiere every Sunday at 9 PM ET on NBC, spanning a total of 10 episodes in its inaugural season (Forbes).
The spinoff was greenlit in late 2023, with Aaron Korsh returning as showrunner to expand this fictional universe. Unlike its predecessor, which was set in New York, Suits LA takes place in Los Angeles, focusing on a group of attorneys at the Black Lane Law firm. The series stars Stephen Amell as Ted Black, a former New York prosecutor who now practices entertainment law. However, despite high hopes for the series, it has struggled to live up to expectations since its February 2025 premiere.
Disappointing Ratings Dampen Hopes for Suits LA
The Spinoff’s Underwhelming Performance
Unfortunately, Suits LA did not launch with favorable ratings, and its performance has declined since then. The show’s premiere on February 23, 2025, attracted only 2.6 million viewers, ranking third among NBC’s new dramas, ahead of only Grosse Pointe Garden Society but behind Brilliant Minds and The Hunting Party, according to Variety. After three days of availability on Peacock, total viewership climbed to 4.7 million (as reported by The Hollywood Reporter).
In subsequent episodes, viewership has settled around 1.5 million live viewers. Even the guest appearance by Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter in episode four failed to elevate the ratings significantly. Concern about the future of Suits LA is growing as its audience continues to dwindle, and as of episode six, the momentum has yet to reverse.
Comparing Ratings: Suits LA vs. Suits
A Stark Contrast to Original Ratings
Despite airing on NBC, a major broadcasting network, Suits LA has failed to draw a larger audience compared to its predecessor, which was originally featured on the smaller USA Network. The inaugural season of Suits attracted an average of 4.28 million viewers, while Suits LA is averaging only 1.65 million as of its sixth episode. While the original show’s viewership declined over time, with the final season averaging just 0.99 million viewers, it’s evident that Suits LA is falling far behind its early-stage success.
|
Series |
Average Viewers (millions) |
Episodes |
Original Air Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Suits LA Season 1 |
1.65 (after six episodes) |
10 |
February 23, 2025– |
|
Suits Season 1 |
4.28 |
12 |
June 23, 2011–September 8, 2011 |
|
Suits Season 2 |
3.60 |
16 |
June 14, 2012–February 21, 2013 |
|
Suits Season 3 |
2.73 |
16 |
July 16, 2013–April 10, 2014 |
|
Suits Season 4 |
2.26 |
16 |
June 11, 2014–March 4, 2015 |
|
Suits Season 5 |
2.01 |
16 |
June 24, 2015–March 2, 2016 |
|
Suits Season 6 |
1.60 |
16 |
July 13, 2016–March 1, 2017 |
|
Suits Season 7 |
1.30 |
16 |
July 12, 2017–April 25, 2018 |
|
Suits Season 8 |
1.02 |
16 |
July 18, 2018–February 27, 2019 |
|
Suits Season 9 |
0.99 |
10 |
July 17, 2019–September 25, 2019 |
The discrepancy in viewership highlights the challenges faced by Suits LA in the contemporary TV market. It’s essential to remember how significantly the viewing landscape has changed since the premiere of the original Suits in 2011. Network television ratings have plummeted in recent years, largely due to the rise of streaming platforms, which have become the preferred choice for many viewers, propelling shows like Suits to newfound success on services such as Netflix.
Is NBC Considering Cancellation of Suits LA?
Potential for Renewal?
Despite the underwhelming reception thus far, there is still a chance for Suits LA to be renewed for a second season. While the odds may not favor a renewal, several factors could influence NBC’s decision. The series has shown improvements following its poorly received pilot, and upcoming episodes are set to feature notable cameos that may boost viewership. The return of iconic characters, such as David Costabile’s Daniel Hardman and Rick Hoffman’s Louis Litt, could entice fans of the original to tune in. Coupled with the benefit of streaming viewership, there remains a glimmer of hope for the future of Suits LA.
Sources: Forbes, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter